The $40 million Larrakia Cultural Centre will move ahead after a deal between the NT Government and the Larrakia Development Corporation was finalised to provide Crown land valued at $16.9 million at Stokes Hill.

The cultural centre, which will be managed by the Larrakia Development Trust (LDT), will be a cornerstone of the LDC’s plan to reinvigorate Larrakia culture, history and language. LDT is the only trust of its kind which includes all Larrakia families and individuals, the government said.

LDC has been in negotiation with the Territory Government for the development of a cultural centre since 2005, as stipulated in a 1998 Native Title extinguishment agreement related to the railway corridor from Alice Springs to Darwin.

“The negotiations to acquire freehold took longer than anticipated but is a significant transaction, not only for the fact that we, as Saltwater People, will have a permanent presence near one of our last remaining sacred sites, but the transfer also signifies the formal extinguishment of our last Native Title rights, which had been secured as part of the Larrakia Native Title claim in the late 1990s,” said LDC CEO Nigel Browne.

Negotiations ended with the government approving a grant of Crown land valued at $16.9 million for the cultural centre.

A joint media statement said the cultural centre is a crucial plank of the Darwin City Deal – a 10-year partnership between the Australian and Territory governments and the City of Darwin – to position Darwin as a vibrant and livable tropical capital city, supported by a growing population and diversified economy.

The $40 million Larrakia Cultural Centre is funded through a grant from the Aboriginal Benefits Account.

Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney said aside from being able to celebrate the cultural history of the Larrakia people, the cultural centre will also serve as a “designated legal structure for the benefit of future generations of Larrakia people”.

“The strong support for this project from First Nations peoples, businesses and communities demonstrates that working together with local communities can deliver more opportunities and jobs for remote communities,” Ms Burney said.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the transfer of land to LDC is a major move towards the development of the cultural centre.

“The Australian Government is very much looking forward to seeing the Larrakia Cultural Centre operational on the Darwin waterfront at Stokes Hill – a sacred site, with spiritual and cultural links for the Larrakia people,” she said.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the land transfer will permit LDC to build a home in Darwin for the Larrakia people, as Darwin’s first people, to preserve and share its rich culture with both locals and visitors.