Support for the Heritage Listing of the Darwin Esplanade

Heritage Council of the NT

We, the undersigned residents and supporters, urge the Heritage Council NT to confirm the full heritage listing of the Darwin Esplanade, as originally proposed by a group of concerned Darwin citizens three years ago.

The Esplanade is not a random collection of park spaces, but a cohesive and historically significant reserve, first laid out in 1869 by George Goyder and his team during the survey of Palmerston (now Darwin). This pattern of coastal public parklands is echoed in many cities established under British colonial systems.

For over 150 years, the Esplanade has been used and loved by the Darwin community — as a place of recreation, gathering, commemoration, and quiet enjoyment. Its cultural, civic and environmental significance is enduring.

Historical sources indicate that in 1921, the Commonwealth Government formally proclaimed the Esplanade as a public domain for the exclusive use and enjoyment of the people of Darwin. This proclamation also indicated that no commercial buildings were to be constructed on it. We urge the Heritage Council to confirm and uphold the intent of this designation as part of its consideration.

In 2023, the Darwin City Council challenged the provisional heritage listing of the Esplanade in the NT Supreme Court. The listing was set aside on procedural fairness grounds, and the Heritage Council is now reconsidering the matter.

While the City of Darwin asserts that it owns and manages the Esplanade, many in the community argue that such lands are held in public trust, and that Councils are custodians acting on behalf of the people — not private owners of public places.

We respectfully call on the Heritage Council to:
- Reaffirm the Esplanade’s status as a unified heritage place, not merely a group of disconnected features;
- Protect the Esplanade from inappropriate commercial development that would compromise its public, cultural, and environmental value;
- Acknowledge and reflect the strong, long-standing connection between the Darwin community and the Esplanade.

To: Heritage Council of the NT
From: [Your Name]

Subject: Support for the Heritage Listing of the Darwin Esplanade
To:
Mr Randle Walker
Chairperson, Heritage Council NT
heritagecouncil@nt.gov.au

We, the undersigned residents and supporters, urge the Heritage Council NT to confirm the full heritage listing of the Darwin Esplanade, as originally proposed by a group of concerned Darwin citizens three years ago.

The Esplanade is not a random collection of park spaces, but a cohesive and historically significant reserve, first laid out in 1869 by George Goyder and his team during the survey of Palmerston (now Darwin). This pattern of coastal public parklands is echoed in many cities established under British colonial systems.

For over 150 years, the Esplanade has been used and loved by the Darwin community — as a place of recreation, gathering, commemoration, and quiet enjoyment. Its cultural, civic and environmental significance is enduring.

Historical sources indicate that in 1921, the Commonwealth Government formally proclaimed the Esplanade as a public domain for the exclusive use and enjoyment of the people of Darwin. This proclamation also indicated that no commercial buildings were to be constructed on it. We urge the Heritage Council to confirm and uphold the intent of this designation as part of its consideration.

In 2023, the Darwin City Council challenged the provisional heritage listing of the Esplanade in the NT Supreme Court. The listing was set aside on procedural fairness grounds, and the Heritage Council is now reconsidering the matter.

While the City of Darwin asserts that it owns and manages the Esplanade, many in the community argue that such lands are held in public trust, and that Councils are custodians acting on behalf of the people — not private owners of public places.

We respectfully call on the Heritage Council to:
- Reaffirm the Esplanade’s status as a unified heritage place, not merely a group of disconnected features;
- Protect the Esplanade from inappropriate commercial development that would compromise its public, cultural, and environmental value;
- Acknowledge and reflect the strong, long-standing connection between the Darwin community and the Esplanade.