Reputation comes first, new headquarters second when considered Esplanade site, says RSL

THE SA/NT RSL state branch says it will be guided by community expectations of the RSL in any future decision about a new Darwin RSL headquarters

The Darwin Esplanade showing the current carpark — the proposed site, left, of the new Darwin RSL clubhouse — and the Deckchair Cinema, right. Picture: Che Chorley

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THE SA/NT RSL state branch says it will be guided by community expectations of the RSL in any future decision about a new Darwin RSL headquarters.

The SA/NT RSL state branch has responsibility for the activities of the Darwin sub branch which is behind the idea of a new CBD headquarters on the Esplanade near the Cenotaph.

Chief executive officer David Grenvold says the SA/NT state branch is reserving any sort of judgment on what it considers to be very much still a concept.

“We don’t know what it is yet and we don’t know how well it meets the objects of the RSL, but we are part of the Darwin RSL sub branch working on the concept,” he said.

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“Yes, we are concerned about a lot of things, but we are part of the process and we are working with council, the traditional owners of the land, the sub branch, we are working with the NT government, RSL Australia, we are working with everyone to make sure that the RSL organisation continues to be held in good light within the community in Darwin.

“It is first and foremost just a concept that needs further developing to ensure it is aligned with the enshrined objects of the RSL that are more than 100 years old.

“We have to look at what it means to our reputation, what does it mean to the long standing objects of the RSL.

“If it was heading in a direction that was too far away from the objects of the RSL then we would have to make a decision on supporting or not supporting it.”

Mr Grenvold said he wanted to make it clear that the SA/NT state branch has not got to a stage where it would support the project or not support the Darwin Esplanade concept.

“We are aware of the endeavours of the committee of the Darwin sub branch and what they are proposing,” he said.

“Regardless of the RSL there’s due process of the various governing bodies. We are guided by those entities and at each step we need to understand what each of those steps is and what the impact is on the RSL.

“The unfortunate thing at the moment is because it hasn’t been clear, the RSL reputation is being damaged in Darwin. The SA/NT state branch is the guardian of the RSL brand and reputation.

“While there is a business case written by Deloitte, while there is a whole range of things, I would not class this as a firm proposal but a concept instead.

“If it had been voted up to go to the next stage by the Darwin City Council, a whole range of public engagement and stakeholder consultation would need to occur and that’s when we would continue to gauge the local community support, issues and challenges and then continue to make decisions.

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“As yet we have not made a decision on anything.”