Stop the hotel beside the Larrakia Cultural Centre
The issue
We call on the Development Consent Authority (DAS) to refuse PA2026/0196 for the proposed six-storey, 108-suite hotel at 39 Stokes Hill Road. We ask the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment to support this outcome.
Darwin is Larrakia Country: Stokes Hill is a sacred place. The neighbouring Larrakia Cultural Centre represents Larrakia culture, history, authority and pride. The Larrakia Cultural Centre was designed to respect the adjacent culturally significant site at Stokes Hill and limited the height of the building to the limitation set within the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority clearance.
The hotel application makes no mention of the significant sacred site within the Waterfront precinct and does not address any approach made to Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority about proceeding with the works in proximity to this site.
The hotel proponents claimed in their original submission to DAS that the “proposed motel is exactly the same height as the Larrakia Cultural Centre”. This is simply not true. With a Roof level of 25.6 AHD would stand about six metres higher than the Centre, the peak height being 19.4 AHD. The height and location of this proposed hotel would dominate the setting, weaken important views to and from the Stokes Hill sacred site and the harbour, and overlook the Cultural Centre amphitheatre and event spaces. This would harm cultural safety, visitor experience and connection to Country.
The Centre is a place for Larrakia people to practice, protect and share culture, and for visitors to learn about connection to Country. Cultural safety requires privacy, respectful sightlines and protection from unwanted viewing or recording of ceremonies, performances and gatherings.
Construction beside the Cultural Centre just as it opens would bring noise, dust, vibration, heavy vehicles and access restrictions. This could disrupt ceremonies, programs, events, dining and tourism, and damage the Centre’s early operations.
The Centre is a major Darwin City Deal investment, backed by the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin. It was built to support Larrakia culture, jobs, education and tourism. Planning decisions should protect that public investment.
Refuse PA2026/0196. Stop the hotel at this site.
Sign and share this petition to protect Stokes Hill and the Larrakia Cultural Centre.
510
The issue
We call on the Development Consent Authority (DAS) to refuse PA2026/0196 for the proposed six-storey, 108-suite hotel at 39 Stokes Hill Road. We ask the Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment to support this outcome.
Darwin is Larrakia Country: Stokes Hill is a sacred place. The neighbouring Larrakia Cultural Centre represents Larrakia culture, history, authority and pride. The Larrakia Cultural Centre was designed to respect the adjacent culturally significant site at Stokes Hill and limited the height of the building to the limitation set within the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority clearance.
The hotel application makes no mention of the significant sacred site within the Waterfront precinct and does not address any approach made to Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority about proceeding with the works in proximity to this site.
The hotel proponents claimed in their original submission to DAS that the “proposed motel is exactly the same height as the Larrakia Cultural Centre”. This is simply not true. With a Roof level of 25.6 AHD would stand about six metres higher than the Centre, the peak height being 19.4 AHD. The height and location of this proposed hotel would dominate the setting, weaken important views to and from the Stokes Hill sacred site and the harbour, and overlook the Cultural Centre amphitheatre and event spaces. This would harm cultural safety, visitor experience and connection to Country.
The Centre is a place for Larrakia people to practice, protect and share culture, and for visitors to learn about connection to Country. Cultural safety requires privacy, respectful sightlines and protection from unwanted viewing or recording of ceremonies, performances and gatherings.
Construction beside the Cultural Centre just as it opens would bring noise, dust, vibration, heavy vehicles and access restrictions. This could disrupt ceremonies, programs, events, dining and tourism, and damage the Centre’s early operations.
The Centre is a major Darwin City Deal investment, backed by the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin. It was built to support Larrakia culture, jobs, education and tourism. Planning decisions should protect that public investment.
Refuse PA2026/0196. Stop the hotel at this site.
Sign and share this petition to protect Stokes Hill and the Larrakia Cultural Centre.
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Petition created on 7 September 2026