The Heritage Council has resolved to invite submissions on the heritage significance of The Esplanade and whether it should be permanently declared a Heritage Place.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE 1 JANUARY 2026 – HAVE YOUR SAY!
Background
This is the second time the Heritage Council has sought public submissions on the heritage significance of The Esplanade.
The first process was set aside by the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in November 2024, following a successful appeal against a question of law and procedural fairness. All public submissions during this process were set aside by the Supreme Court finding.
The Court judgement did not set aside the original nomination, however, and the Heritage Council was obligated to assess the heritage significance of The Esplanade again.
On 11 September 2025, the Heritage Council decided that The Esplanade is of heritage significance and prepared a Statement of Heritage Value. As stipulated by Heritage Act 2011 (the Act), the Heritage Council is now calling for public submissions on whether The Esplanade is of heritage significance, and whether it should be declared a Heritage Place.
The Esplanade will be provisionally declared a Heritage Place until a final decision by the Minister is made.
Your submission
Members of the public are invited you to make a submission on the heritage significance of The Esplanade and whether it should be permanently declared as a heritage place under the Act.
Submissions are open until 1 January 2026 and can be made through the Northern Territory Have Your Say Webpage.
The Have Your Say Webpage provides the relevant documents including a map of the area
and the Statement of Heritage Value prepared by the Heritage Council.
If you have technical difficulties accessing the Have Your Say portal please call the Heritage Branch on 8999 5039.
If you have any queries in relation to this matter, please contact Dr David Steinberg, Director Heritage Branch, Department Lands, Planning and Environment on telephone 8999 5083 or email david.steinberg@nt.gov.au.
Here are articles in regards to this:
https://planinc.org.au/support-heritage-listing-of-the-darwin-esplanade/
https://planinc.org.au/2024-05-esplanade-statement-of-heritage-value/
https://planinc.org.au/2024-04-the-heritage-listing-of-the-esplanade/
https://planinc.org.au/proposed-heritage-declaration-the-esplanade-darwin/
https://planinc.org.au/who-owns-darwin-esplanade/
And here is the petition