Four years down the track, an ambitious project to turn 50 hectares of land near Darwin into a multi million dollar housing estate, with economic spin offs for traditional owners, is reaping rewards. The Larrakia Development Corporation (LDC) emerged from a native title agreement signed between the Larrakia people and the Northern Territory Government in December 2001. The traditional owners agreed to waive their native title claim over some of the land starved prospective residential areas of Palmerston, including some community sporting clubs, in return for the right to purchase 50 hectares for $1.2 million.
The result has been a five stage $24 million housing estate called Darla, so far providing full time permanent employment to 12 Larrakia and other Indigenous people. The project has also seen the development of business opportunities including a turf farm, construction company, property management and landscaping businesses.
LDC Chief Executive, Greg Constantine, said the Palmerston City Council were big supporters of the project, providing advice and assistance since its early days. The organisation borrowed heavily in the early stages so board members were careful to ensure they had a market edge and solid business plan.
Blocks in the third, fourth and fifth stage have been kept to a minimum 700 square metres, established trees have been retained as part of the estate’s landscape, the streets are wide and parks have been designed for families. With the fourth stage of the subdivision still under construction, all of the blocks have been sold while 80 per cent of the fifth and final stage has been pre-sold.
“My board has taken the view that they are more interested in employing people – once they are employed they can be upskilled,” Greg Constantine said. “Through the networking of the LDC we have placed about another 80 Larrakia and other Indigenous people into full time work with other Darwin and Palmerston based businesses. Organisations such as the Palmerston City Council have been extraordinarily supportive of what the traditional owners are trying to do and now they are actually doing it.”
Northern Land Council Chief Executive, Norman Fry, said the Darla development showed how native title should not be seen as an impediment to development. The NLC negotiated the 2001 agreement on behalf of the Larrakia, which led to the formation of the LDC and the economic expansion.
“Here we have a work in progress which is making a significant contribution to the economic wellbeing of the Greater Darwin area while at the same time providing jobs and training for Larrakia and other Indigenous people,” he said. “The Darla development project is a clear commercial success, and a positive example of a negotiated agreement conducted in good faith that benefits the whole community.”
