If you are concerned about the Heritage Listing of the Esplanade, sign the open letter here: Open letter to City of Darwin
Download and print out the flyer with the open letter QR code here: 2024_05_The_Esplanade_is_most_important_QR.pdf
It is a large green parkland laid out and established by George Goyder’s team of first surveyors in Darwin (Palmerston) in 1869 Its boundaries run northeast at the main front, turning southwest on the second shorter arm.
Esplanades are a prized feature of many well-established cities worldwide.
The area of it is broadly defined as covering the seaside of each boundary arm, which has the name The Esplanade. A generally inclusive dictionary is definition is:
’a long, open, level area, typically beside the sea, along which people may walk for pleasure.’
They are set aside from building development. We are most fortunate one, and now there is a serious need to protect it.
On the long side of our Esplanade, planning has led mostly to hotels overlooking the green sward of the Esplanade to the blue sea views beyond. The inviting green area is favoured for locals and visitors walking, children playing, wedding photographs and annual open day events.
The short side of the Esplanade on the escarpment is covered by the green of recently planned native trees. These two arms frame a picture of Darwin as visitors arrive in cruise ships. The newly developed waterfront is below.
It is an international rule that no there be no buildings on Esplanades.
A survey has shown that Darwin people would not tolerate building in front of the green escarpment.
In 1921, by Commonwealth Government Gazette, the Governor General of Australia Proclaimed that the Public Esplanade in Darwin is for the exclusive for the use and enjoyment of the people in Darwin.
Opposition to Heritage Listing
Recently the Lord Mayor of Darwin was on Katie Woolf radio, replay here: https://omny.fm/shows/360-with-katie-woolf/darwin-s-lord-mayor-kon-vatskalis-says-the-nt-gove#description railing against the proposed Heritage Declaration for the Esplanade Darwin. In an apparent rewrite of history, The Lord Mayor advised the listeners that the Council never had any intention to develop the Esplanade. This is despite the public record of the Council and elected officials spruiking the value of a RSL development on Esplanade land. An example is this article is the CEO recommending development on the Esplanade Oct 13 2020 https://ntindependent.com.au/council-acting-ceo-backs-contentious-move-to-provide-rsl-support/
I have previously asked the Executive and Councillors of the City of Darwin at the open session: Who does the Lord Mayor speak for when he is in the public arena? Do his words actually match the opinion of Corporate City of Darwin or the wishes of the elected Councillors or the constituents who vote the Councillors in?
In the Katie Woolfe article, the Lord Mayor advises he has his lawyers working against this perfectly reasonable proposal to consider the Heritage value of our precious Esplanade.
For more recent history see this PLan article from November 2020 https://planinc.org.au/2-uncategorised/258-who-owns-darwin-esplanade.html
The use of commercial in confidence is inappropriate
( eg. at the end of the DCC March Minutes)
(No) ‘27.2 Civic Centre Redevelopment Update
This matter is considered to be confidential under Section 99(2) – 51(c)(i) and 51(c)(iii) of the Local Government Act, and the Council is satisfied that discussion of this matter in an open meeting would, on balance, be contrary to the public interest as it deals with information that would, if publicly disclosed, be likely to cause commercial prejudice to, or confer an unfair commercial advantage on, any person and information that would, if publicly disclosed, be likely to prejudice the security of the council, its members or staff.’
Date 23/2/2023 Katie Wolfe and Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis about the heritage listing of the Esplanade.
The Lord Mayor Darwin asks why they are wanting to list such a huge area?
The Lord Mayor of Darwin finds it curious that the Esplanade should be heritage listed.
The Lord Mayor of Darwin is suspicious that someone is trying to prevent development of the top of the Esplanade.
When asked about the RSL development the Lord Mayor had nothing to say.
The Lord Mayor of Darwin says, “I don’t think you can do anything with a Heritage Place”.
The Lord Mayor believes it is the job of the City of Darwin for find business and tourism opportunities.
The Lord Mayor of Darwin accuses the NT Government of dragging the chain over proposals.
The Lord Mayor advises he is going to stop the installation of public art on the Esplanade.
The Lord Mayor advises he had planned to put a memorial to the Stolen generation on the Esplanade.
The Lord Mayor advises he has asked his lawyers if he will be able to hold the Glenti.
The Lord Mayor then states that council has never intended to develop the Esplanade.
The Lord Mayor asks who in his right mind would Heritage list the Esplanade when it is protected by zoning.
The Lord Mayor again advises that the City of Darwin never intended to develop the Esplanade.
The Lord Mayor advises that his lawyers believe they have a strong position over procedure.
The Lord Mayor then calls the NT Government out for not being open and transparent. He is concerned that the heritage listing of the Esplanade creates a situation of people not having confidence of the government.
To quote “If one day a group of people can suddenly decide they want to declare something an heritage area.”
The Lord Mayor is concerned who suggested the Esplanade for heritage listing.
The Lord Mayor advised that we knocked back the construction of the RSL on the Esplanade.
The Lord Mayor advised there was nothing on paper in regard to development of the Esplanade.