RSL Esplanade plans temporarily withdrawn from Darwin Council

THE Darwin RSL has, temporarily, withdrawn its plans for a clubhouse on the Darwin Esplanade

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THE Darwin RSL has, temporarily, withdrawn its plans for a clubhouse on the Darwin Esplanade.

Following claims the site — in a carpark above the Deckchair Cinema — could have been a sacred women’s birthing area for the Larrakia people, the Darwin RSL Sub-branch has advised Darwin Council it will temporarily withdraw its submission proposal.

Darwin RSL Sub-Branch president Stephen Gloster said the decision provided the opportunity to further consult with community and stakeholders about the merits of the proposal.

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“Normally such an investigation would take place upon Council approval to progress this initial proposal,” Mr Gloster said.

“However, as it is currently already taking place it provides the opportunity to temporarily withdraw the unsolicited proposal submission to City of Darwin and undertake further consultation with the community and stakeholders.

“We will use this interim period of temporarily withdrawing the proposal submission to continue to meet and brief the community and stakeholders.

“Defence of Darwin House is being designed to be reflective of Darwin’s unique military past and respectful to the Cenotaph precinct and recently installed Eternal Flame. The Cenotaph precinct was the site of where WWII gun emplacements were fired in defence of our nation.

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“Defence of Darwin House delivers an enriched use for land that is currently used as a bitumen carpark and overlooks the harbour where many lives were lost. It is the most appropriate location from which we remember those who served and suffered in defence of our nation.”

It’s understood Darwin council has recently written to the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority to clarify if the area — which has been a carpark for the past 40 years — was a sacred site, following claims made in October just hours ahead of a council vote on the RSL proposal.

City of Darwin acting chief executive Melissa Reiter said they were informed on Wednesday of plans to withdraw the proposal.but said any future plans for the site were questions for Darwin RSL.

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