Northern Territory Government scraps plans for Darwin ‘Stolen Generations’ museum

The Northern Territory Government has announced that it is to scrap plans for a museum that was to have told the story of the ‘Stolen Generation’ of Indigenous Australians.

The move to ditch the planned museum, that was to have been built at Darwin’s Myilly Point, follows public objections to the $50 million cost of the project.

The Northern Territory Government will now redirect the funds revitalisation progjects in Darwin while also committing to a "nationally significant" centre for the Stolen Generations.

The museum would have told the story of the Stolen Generations, as the Myilly Point site between Cullen Bay and Mindil Beach once housed the Kahlin Compound - used to segregate Indigenous people considered to be ‘half caste’ from the rest of Darwin during the 1900s.

However, a survey of Territorians revealed a preference for the money would be better spent elsewhere, particularly as Darwin is already home to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory at Bullocky Point.

The Northern Territory Government has also committed to building an Indigenous art museum in Alice Springs, forecast to cost about $150 million.

Announcing plans to scrap the museum, Chief Minister Michael Gunner stated “the community has voiced genuine concerns about a new museum and we have listened.

"We have heard loud and clear that many Territorians do not support a Myilly Point museum and want us to focus on jobs, investing in schools, children and safer communities."

Projects to now be backed under the Darwin revitalisation project include redeveloping the state square by creating green spaces, building underground carparks around Parliament and the Supreme Court, putting a shade cover over Cavanagh Street, relocating University students to the CBD, relocating the bus terminal and funding more street art.

Myilly Point will still receive $3 million of the museum fund for a children's playground and landscaping the road frontages.

Chief Minister Gunner said he would continue to work with the community, traditional owners and representatives of the Stolen Generation on a future plan for the site, which would ensure its history was recognised.

He added “when we announced plans for Myilly Point museum, we promised members of the Stolen Generation they would be part of the overall project and that we would recognise their stories and the injustices they endured.

"We will honour our commitment."

Images: Myilly Point heritage precinct, Darwin (top) and Stolen Generation children pictured at the Kahlin Compound in 1921 (below, courtesy of NT Library). 

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