Larrakia set for $24m urban development project

Bill Risk and Kelvin Costello at the Darla development launch

Larrakia people have moved a step closer towards economic independence with the announcement on 28 June that a five-year, $24 million development project is poised to commence in Darwin's satellite city of Palmerston within the next eight weeks.

The proposed development comes in the wake of the landmark Native Title agreement reached between the Larrakia people and the Northern Territory Government in December last year.

Spearheaded by the Larrakia Development Corporation (LDC), the first stage of the project will see up to 57 residential lots developed in the new Palmerston subdivision of Darla between July and November this year at a cost of about $2.5 million.

The first lots will hit the market by the end of this year, with the remaining 340 lots to be developed as demand dictates.

Project funding has been secured and will be provided by a major financial institution and government agencies.

LDC Chairman Bill Risk said the project would continue to set a benchmark for successful Native Title negotiations and resolutions across Australia.

This project not only gives Darwin the room to grow it so desperately needs, it also provides our people with training, jobs and a stake in a project which for the first time holds out the hope of real economic independence for the Larrakia people.

Our thanks go to the Northern Land Council, the Northern Territory Government and our financial backers for making this project possible.

NLC Chief Executive described the Darla development in the Rosebery/Bellamack area of Palmerston as a terrific outcome for all concerned after three years of hard work. Mr Fry said the project was hard evidence that Aboriginal people were not anti-development so long as their rights were respected.

Twelve months ago, the Larrakia had nothing beyond an agreement.

Today we learn that not only are they about to commence stage one of a multimillion dollar development, but in doing so, have set the standard in relation to native title negotiations between Indigenous and Government interests all over Australia.

I congratulate the LDC for all they have achieved. They are now one step closer to making their dream a reality.

Profits from the Darla development will flow into a tax-exempt trust set up for the Larrakia with no money to be released for three years.

Proceeds will be used firstly to retire debt and then to invest in training, education and community development for Larrakia.

The prime contractor has already agreed to minimum Aboriginal employment levels during both the construction and landscaping phase.

The Larrakia have also negotiated with the Aboriginal Development Foundation (ADF) and the NT University to offer a Certificate Two in Horticulture to Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) participants at a training facility to be located at the ADF.

Norman Fry