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Larrakia Development Corporation PTY LTD was officially incorporated under the Corporations Act in February 2002. Working closely with the Larrakia people, Northern Land Council and the Government of the Northern Territory, Australia to move in a forward direction to achieve acceptable development.

Larrakia Development Corporation was presented as a positive example for Indigenous land development and housing in the successful election campaign of Australia's current Government 2008, elected in late 2007.

At the annual Building & Construction Excellence Awards 2007, Larrakia Development Corporation won the awards for Excellence in Building for the NT Climate (Housing) and for the Excellence in Building for the NT Climate (Commercial).

Projects

DARLA

In 2001, the Northern Territory Government faced a shortage of land for residential development. The new Larrakia Development Corporation saw this as a window of commercial opportunity. With approval and support from the majority of the Larrakia people, they agreed to forgo possible native title rights in the Rosebery, Bellamack and Archer areas of Palmerston in return for the opportunity to purchase a sizeable parcel of land from the government[1].

The price to purchase 50 hectares in Rosebery from the government was one million Australian dollars, the commercial market price at that time. With interest accrued, the Larrakia Development Corporation resulted in paying AU$1.2 million dollars for land that was originally Larrakia land.

Their ambitious strategy was to open the land for development whilst retaining cultural aspects such as naming rights and natural surrounds and providing home builders with what they wanted in a new subdivision. The Board also insisted on strict building covenants and design guidelines, which were implemented throughout the estate.

Assisted by the 1.2 hectare of land at East Arm Port, the board managed to find enough security to satisfy the Westpac Bank and the former ATSIC who both bankrolled the project on full commercial terms.

The next step was to look at the proposed development and devise a strategy for its construction. A geological survey of the proposed estate was commissioned for an accurate costing of the development. The Board then made the decision to develop approximately 370 housing lots over five stages, the first stage consisting of 57 lots.

The Corporation insisted homeowners have a minimum of 700 m² blocks. Stormwater drains were landscaped to resemble creeks. Special attention was paid to landscaping, saving trees where possible and planting appropriate foliage.

Larrakia families played an important role in naming the streets and parks within the subdivision. Such names had to be culturally appropriate for the Larrakia, not be too difficult for the general community to pronounce and spell, and be approved by the Place Names Committee and the Palmerston City Council.

This consultation also included seeking an approved operations name for the project. In September 2002, the board came up with Darla, a Larrakia name for the mangrove worm.

Darwin Waterfront & Convention Center

The Larrakia Development Corporation has been pro-actively identifying employment and business opportunities related to the construction and subsequent operation of the Convention Centre[2]. A memorandum of understanding has been formed between the Northern Land Council, the Northern Territory Construction Association, and the Larrakia Development Corporation to maximise employment, training and business opportunities for the Larrakia[3].

DARWIN WATERFRONT AND CONVENTION CENTRE, a $1.1 Billion development will be built over a period of 15 years and will consist of a new convention and exhibition centre with a 1500-seat auditorium. Included in the development of stage one is also a 141-room hotel, harbour side cafes and restaurants and residential development. There will also be community facilities, swimming areas, public promenade, parklands and picnic areas[4].

Wickham Point Liquid Natural Gas Plant

Larrakia Development Corporation has established and fostered a strong working relationship with ConocoPhillips. This relationship will help benifit the Larrakia by opening paths for employment and business opportunities[5].

Under the Wickham Point Deed the Larrakia will receive dividends at various stages of construction and plant operation.

As part of the agreement ConocoPhillips has a requirement to seek:

• contracts that commit to the local skill development, scholarship, training and employment opportunities for Larrakia,
• contractors who obtain goods and services from Larrakia owned organizations.

This creates employment opportunities for all Larrakia