Darwin Waterfront hotel project under serious threat as Federal Government urged to step in
A proposed $100m resort hotel project on Darwin’s Waterfront is in danger of being halted after Larrakia traditional owners asked for Federal intervention.
The proposed $100m Darwin Convention Centre Hotel waterfront development is in danger of Federal Government intervention after Larrakia traditional owners called for its support over the use of a new NT Government amendment to the Sacred Sites Act.
It is the latest threat to the project over a simmering sacred site issue.
The development of the high-rise hotel at Stokes Hill at Darwin Waterfront appeared to hit a milestone in May last year after the Eva Lawler Labor Government chose a Singaporean hotel chain to develop, own and operate the 236-room hotel.
After a competitive Expression of Interest process that started in 2022, CEL Australia was chosen to lead the Darwin Convention Centre Hotel project under their brand Momentus Hotels and Resorts.
However, the $100m four-star hotel development hit a snag in the beginning of 2025 after Larrakia objections about a scared site situated near the hotel carpark were raised.
Traditional owners were concerned hotel guests would be able to see through the windows, look down on the sacred site and interfere with the Dreamtime story.
Despite lodging for Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority certification approval in August 2024, CEL Australia spokesman Robert Lee said in January this year it still had not been approved.
In July, this masthead discovered CEL Australia withdrew its application for an Authority Certificate possibly with the intention of relodging the application in a different form.
In May, the NT Government amended the Sacred Sites Act to help “modernise” the 30-year-old law and increase efficiency for development.
Under this new law, Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) board members said the hotel developer and the Darwin Waterfront Corporation had been added to the existing Waterfront redevelopment authority certificate.
The certificate, which is based on consultation with Aboriginal custodians, was first issued to the NT Government in 2004.
It sets out the conditions for carrying out specific works on an area of land or water near sacred sites.
Essentially by adding the two companies to the original certificate, the AAPA is compelled to process the development application without further consultation under the recent NT Government law amendment.
AAPA hold ‘very serious concerns’ about application process
Mr Bobby Nunggumajbarr, chair of the Authority Board, said the Darwin Waterfront precinct is proof that sacred sites and development can coexist.
“The precinct demonstrates that with proper consultation and respect, development can proceed in a way that benefits all Territorians, while also protecting the cultural heritage of the Larrakia people,” he said.
However, Mr Nunggumajbarr said the Authority has “very serious concerns” about the use of the 20-year-old Certificate being used to progress the project and the application has put the board in a “difficult position”.
“The old Waterfront Certificate does not detail a high-rise hotel next to the Convention Centre or alongside the registered sacred site.
“Plans for a tower in that location were not part of the original Larrakia consultation.
“More recent Certificates for development around Stokes Hill, including for the Larrakia Cultural Centre, set strict height limits to protect the sacred site.
“Larrakia custodians have been very clear that the current SH Darwin Hotel design will impact the site.”
AAPA board member resigns and Federal Government sought for help
The application has caused one of the board members, Rachel Perkins, to resign.
Ms Perkins said it was causing “extreme distress” for fellow board members.
“AAPA is being manipulated, and the existing authority certificate is being manipulated, and it goes against honest principles of doing business,” she said.
“We need to take a stand and point out that it’s wrong.”
The AAPA Board has said it will now be writing to the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy and the Federal Minister for Environment and Water, Senator the Hon Murray Watt to ask for intervention.
This raises the concerns on whether the Federal Government will step in and attempt to squash the NT Government’s amendments to the law.
A government spokesperson said Darwin was crying out for more tourist accommodation, which not only provides construction jobs but increases the hospitality and retail offerings for locals to enjoy.
“It's a bit rich that projects proposed and supported by the former Labor Government are now facing additional green tape and barriers,” the spokesperson said.
“We want the Territory to be open for business and Territorians to have the jobs that go with that.
“The Finocchiarro CLP Government remains committed to reducing crime, rebuilding the economy and restoring our unique lifestyle.”
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