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Larrakia - An Indigenous Success Story
- The Larrakia are the traditional owners of the land on which Darwin is built
- There are about 2600 descendants of the Larrakia in Darwin
- Known as the 'Saltwater People', they have a strong attachment to the land and sea
LDC Distribution Policy
The Larrakia Development Corporation has resolved to allocate as from October 2006 from its investment income towards the following categories
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LDC Support the Community
The Larrakia Development Corporation has donated $10,000 to the Red Cross Victorian Bush Fire appeal. The strong support of Australians, particularly Victorians, who donated so much to the Larrakia and Darwin residents after the devastation of Cyclone Tracy is well remembered.
- Corrugated Iron
- Crimestoppers NT
- Darwin Chorale
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- Legacy
- Stolen Generation
- NAIDOC
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About Larrakia Development Corporation
The Larrakia Development Corporation working for All Larrakia, the traditional owners of Darwin. Its primary role is to assist All Larrakia in developing businesses and gaining meaningful employment.
The Larrakia Development Corporation is extremely proud of its achievements to date. Its projects have paid dividends both in financial terms and more importantly in raising the level of self esteem within the Larrakia and other Indigenous people.
The flow on effect of this effort by the Larrakia people has given a significant financial and employment boost to the Darwin and Northern Territory.
Note: A full history of the Larrakia Development Corporation can be found in our publication An Indigenous Success Story.
Our Mission
To build the Larrakia Development Corporation to become recognised as a major business within the Northern Territory - to enable the company to improve the lives of all Larrakia
Vision
To promote the financial independence and lifestyle of all Larrakia people through the commercial development of Larrakia assets and to do so in such a way that promotes employment, training and business opportunities for all Larrakia people
Background of the Larrakia people
The Larrakia or 'Salt Water People' are the traditional owners of the land where Darwin is located, as well as the area around Darwin Harbour include East Arm, Middle Arm and Cox Peninsula.
The Larrakia are the Aboriginal group that was most disturbed by the European settlement in the Northern Territory. Many have intermarried with settlers to their country. There are an estimated 2600 Larrakia people living in and around Darwin.
The Larrakia lodged the Kenbi land claim in 1979. The long-running native title claim was settled in 2000 by Land Commissioner Justice Gray. Essentially the findings established that native title existed for the 600 square kilometre Cox Peninsula but not for the Darwin area, although the Court did acknowledge the traditional ownership of this land by the Larrakia people. Later attempts by Larrakia people to establish native title covering Darwin were unsuccessful.
The Larrakia Development Corporation was established in 2001, a committee made up of four Larrakia namely Bill Risk, Laurie Cubillo, Koolpinyah Barnes and Kelvin Costello established the LDC whose first task was to purchase land at commercial rates at Palmerston.
In 2009, the Larrakia people and Northern Land Council, which represents the native title interests of Aboriginal groups in the Top End, reached agreement with the Northern Territory Government over use of the Cox Peninsula land. The next step in the process is to gain approval to the agreement by the federal government. Under the terms of the agreement, 15,000 hectares of land has been declared 'Territory freehold' instead of inalienable freehold, which will give the Larrakia Development Corporation the opportunity to develop it. Most of the Cox Peninsula (52,000 hectares) will become communally-held Aboriginal land.
Kenbi in Principle Agreement
It has taken over 30 years of both legal and political wrangling, but finally a resolution appears to be in sight over the long running Kenbi Land Claim.
Justice Gray ruled in favor of Larrakia claimants eight years ago. Since this time issues of detriment to all parties have been settled through negotiations and a "in principle agreement" between the NT Government, the Northern Land Council (NLC), Tommy Lyons Group and Larrakia families with assistance from the Larrakia Development Corporation has been reached.
Sadly many of the original land claimants have since died. Traditional owner, Raylene Singh, from the Tommy Lyons Group paid tribute to their efforts. "They fought so hard and waited so long for us," she said.
The official announcement was made 30 January by the NT Government, in conjunction with the Northern Land Council on this milestone decision. The Larrakia Development Corporation welcomes this announcement and congratulates the NLC, NT Government, members of the Tommy Lyons Group and the broader Larrakia.
The Kenbi Land Claim affects over 600 square kilometers of Cox Peninsula. The "in principle agreement" reached between the government and NLC has assigned 15,000 hectares of this land as Territory Freehold to be managed by the Larrakia Development Corporation for commercial development. The remaining 52,000 hectares will become communally-held Aboriginal Land, managed similarly to Arnhem Land.
However, its not all over just yet as it's now up to the Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, The Honourable Jenny Macklin MP, to approve Justice Gray's recommendation to grant much of the 600 square kilometre claim area to traditional Larrakia owners. Expectations are hopeful this final piece of the process will be expediated quickly and smoothly.
The Board of the Larrakia Development Corporation is now looking forward to fine-tuning plans to develop employment and commercial opportunities to benefit all Larrakia and other Aboriginal people on the Cox Peninsula, pending the final stage of the Kenbi claim process. One of their first priority projects that they will undertake is development of a seniors home, near Mandorah, for senior Larrakia. Chief Executive Greg Constantine said, "This has been something we've been wanting to do for sometime. The proposed settlement of Kenbi claim now affords us with an opportunity to create something quite special for senior Larrakia and is part of our mission to help improve living conditions and facilities for all Larrakia".
Over the past seven years, the Larrakia owned and controlled Corporation has developed the multi-million dollar Darla subdivisions at Palmerston, set up an award-winning and accredited housing company, Larrakia Homes as well as landscaping and steel company Saltwater Construction. The Corporation has already invested in several business ventures on Cox Peninsula, and plans have been developed for other projects.
Part of the profits from the Corporation's commercial ventures are distributed to Larrakia families through its Distribution Policy, which includes payments for funerals; senior Larrakia people living expenses; scholarships; business loans; first home buyer assistance.
This year the Larrakia Development Corporation will be developing a trades training centre for Larrakia and other aboriginal youngsters in conjunction with a prominent Secondary College and Australian Training International (ATI).
Chairman Koolpinyah Barnes said the project and financial experience gained by the Corporation will be further utilised when the Kenbi process is finalised.
"The Board looks forward to continueing to work for all Larrakia on new commercial opportunities on Cox Peninsula, as well as continuing and growing our Darwin projects," Mr Barnes said.
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