Conflicting claims add to indecision over Esplanade RSL site

THE chief executive of the Larrakia Development Corporation (LDC) says there has been no consultation with the LDC over the proposed new RSL headquarters on the Darwin Esplanade

• More questions than answers over potential sacred site at Darwin Esplanade
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• Supporters awaiting for council’s decision whether or not to support project

THE chief executive of the Larrakia Development Corporation (LDC) says there has been no consultation with the LDC over the proposed new RSL headquarters on the Darwin Esplanade.

“There are at least five registered sites I know within and around the CBD area that, despite 151 years of urban encroachment and a good deal of damage, have survived to this day,” Nigel Browne said.

“They should be held up and celebrated by the community, not viewed as an impediment to development.

“There has been no consultation with Larrakia.”

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Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said he wanted the sacred site issue resolved sooner rather than later.

Mr Vatskalis said in an effort to clear up the conflicting claims, council would write to the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) to get absolute clarity.

“If we were going to make a decision whether or not to allow the RSL to go there, we must have absolute certainty that no sacred sites are being interfered with,” Mr Vatskalis said.

Darwin's Esplanade including the site of the proposed Darwin RSL development and Deckchair Cinema. Picture: Che Chorley

Larrakia elder Bilawara Lee said the RSL site was part of Rainbow Serpent dream song and a sacred Larrakia birthing site.

But those claims have been questioned by a traditional custodian, Tibby Quall.

“There’s no birthing site there, there’s no sacred site there. They should be ashamed of themselves for making those comments,” he says.

“When we looked at the surf pool at Vesteys Beach we found out that the records were really old,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“So we have to really have a look at what the current records are and if there are registered sites and where they are in our properties.”

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AAPA chief executive Benedict Scambary said while there were a number of sacred sites in the vicinity of the RSL’s proposed clubhouse, it would not necessarily mean that the development could not go ahead.

“Sites along the Esplanade have previously been protected by AAPA, while allowing development,” he said.