Darwin Mayor Kon Vatskalis reveals reason why Council delayed vote on RSL’s Esplanade proposal

DARWIN Mayor Kon Vatskalis has revealed the reason why last night’s much-anticipated vote by Council on Darwin RSL’s proposed Esplanade clubhouse was postponed at the last possible minute

LARRAKIA Elder Bilawara Lee has revealed she was the person who contacted Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis just before Tuesday night’s council meeting, delaying a much-anticipated decision on the RSL’s Esplanade proposal.

Speaking on ABC Radio on Wednesday morning, Ms Lee said the area where the proposed Darwin RSL clubhouse would be built was of cultural significance as it was both part of the Rainbow Serpent songline and a sacred Larrakia women’s indigenous birthing site.

However concerns have since been raised over the legitimacy of the claim.

Mr Vatskalis confirmed she called him on Tuesday evening, less than an hour before council meeting was due to begin.

Protesters lined all the available space outside the Darwin council chambers before Tuesday night’s meeting. Picture: Che Chorley

“This information I received from Bilawara is very significant, it’s inappropriate to have a building which represents man and military on top of a sacred woman’s birthing place,” he said.

“When you get this kind of information and get it an hour before the meeting, I didn’t have much opportunity of verifying the information.

“I spoke with another indigenous elder who confirmed the Rainbow Serpent trail but I didn’t have an opportunity to verify the sacred woman’s birthing place. (Before) Bilawara told me I was totally unaware.”

But another Larrakia elder, Tibby Quall, said those who said there was a birthing ground at the Esplanade were mistaken.

“I’m a custodian of all the sacred sites from Dundee to Port Essington … there’s no such thing as a dreaming track,” he said.

“There’s no woman’s site for birthing on the Esplanade. There is one in the Darwin area but it is 2.5 km away from the CBD.

“My grandmother was born there and her children were born there, my mother was born there.

“We are trying to get that (other Darwin area site) heritage listed, it’s been on the table for many years but because it’s a developed area it’s been difficult but the site is still there.”

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The initial revelation of Ms Lee’s bombshell claim at the 11th hour prompted Mr Vatskalis to delay a Council vote on whether to support the new RSL location, which he hopes to retable at council as soon as possible with advice from Larrakia Nation.

The back of The Deckchair Cinema’s screen (bottom right) — the closest point to the proposed RSL clubhouse site — is located about 80m from the existing carpark (top left) where the RSL wants to rebuild. Picture: NT News

“My aldermen have previously said if they receive information regarding a matter on the same day, they would prefer not to vote on it so they have time to look over all information,” Mr Vatskalis said.

“Last night they all agreed my mayoral minute would be tabled and postponed.”

Hundreds of people packed the council chambers last night to show support for the Deckchair Cinema, which is opposing the development.

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However they were left angry and disappointed when Mr Vatskalis said the vote on whether to support the development or not would be delayed.

A number of members of Larakia Nation have been contacted for comment.

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