Charles Darwin University (CDU) is working with Larrakia Nation to restore place names and revitalise language across its campuses in the Northern Territory.

Reclaiming Indigenous place names in the Territory

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Charles Darwin University (CDU) is working with Larrakia Nation to restore place names and revitalise language across its campuses in the Northern Territory.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is working with Larrakia Nation to restore place names and revitalise language across its campuses in the Northern Territory.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is working with Larrakia Nation to restore place names and revitalise language across its campuses in the Northern Territory.

As a part of the process, CDU will co-name all new buildings and facilities with place names working with Aboriginal leaders to ensure they are written with the correct grammatical structure, concepts and vocabulary.

In partnership with Larrakia Nation, CDU will name its Education and Community Precinct, Danala the name for dillybag which represents a place to house knowledge.

The new Education and Community Precinct, or Danala, is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal – a 10-year partnership between the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin to drive a more vibrant and liveable tropical capital city.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said it was important that its buildings across its campuses incorporated the naming practises of First Nations people in the Territory.

“Greater integration between place-naming and Aboriginal culture and languages can help all Territorians be better connected to the land they are living in,” Professor Bowman said.

“During the last centuries Indigenous lands were remapped and renamed by colonial powers across Australia, so it’s incredibly important that we restore place names to First Nations people in the Territory.

Larrakia Elder-in-Residence Bilawara Lee (Aunty B) said the new CDU campus building was named in consultation with Larrakia Nation.

“Charles Darwin University, students and staff of the university will weave a strong spiritual danala, a dilly-bag where they will carry knowledge and tools as they travel along a successful and fulfilling career,” Aunty B said.

CDU Deputy Vice-Chancellor First Nations Leadership Reuben Bolt said naming buildings in Indigenous language was the start of offering more inclusion in education for First Nations people in the Territory.

“We’re making a commitment to name the Territory’s university campuses, facilities and buildings with Indigenous place names,” Professor Bolt said.

“This is a start to encourage and facilitate more inclusion of Aboriginal people, language and custom in place-naming throughout the Territory and in the education sector.”

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the precinct’s new name, Danala, is a fitting description for a place that will bring students, visitors, academics and other community members together to learn and grow.

“The infrastructure we are delivering today will play a key role in the Territory of tomorrow – in its social, cultural and economic futures – making it important to ensure greater inclusion of First Nations people, language and customs in place-naming,” Minister King said.

NT Minister for Business, Jobs and Training Minister Paul Kirby said the naming of the Charles Darwin University’s CDU Campus as ‘Danala’ is a great initiative to help keep traditional language alive in the Northern Territory.

“As the new name suggests, the campus will certainly be a place to house knowledge, where students from near and far will gain the skills and education they need to thrive,” Minister Kirby said.

Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling said this is a fantastic milestone for Darwin’s largest construction project, which will position us as a future centre of educational excellence.

“Danala will attract students from all over the country and the world to Darwin, where they will learn so much more than what’s in their chosen qualifications – and that includes the rich First Nations cultures and languages,” Mr Gosling said.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman joined the Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling MP and Northern Territory Minister for Business, Jobs and Training Paul Kirby to survey progress on the $250 million Education and Community Precinct.

Charles Darwin University city campus reaches new heights

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CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman joined the Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling MP and Northern Territory Minister for Business, Jobs and Training Paul Kirby to survey progress on the $250 million Education and Community Precinct.

Territorians are celebrating the rapid developments taking place on the Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) city campus build – the largest construction project underway in Darwin’s CBD, and one that will transform the city for decades to come.

At an event held today, CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman joined the Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling MP and Northern Territory Minister for Business, Jobs and Training Paul Kirby to survey progress on the $250 million Education and Community Precinct.

More than 8,216m3 of concrete and 86,450 hours of on-site labour have gone into the build across the project’s lifetime so far, with four floors now complete.

Concrete slabs have been poured for both basements and the first two levels, with formwork including lift cores and stairwells progressing to level three and scaffolding reaching level four. Both tower cranes and the concrete tower pump are now in operation.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the Education and Community Precinct was the largest construction project in Darwin that was supporting jobs and the Territory’s economy. 

“This project has come a long way in a short period of time, we’re thrilled with how rapidly the project team are progressing works on site,” Professor Bowman said.

“The entire CDU community cannot wait to move into the building, which we know will be a major drawcard for international students, but also a vibrant community hub for the people of the Territory that will make our city an education city and more liveable.”

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the CDU Campus and new Education and Community Precinct will transform Darwin – bringing students, visitors, academics and workers alike.

“Already well positioned as the gateway to Asia, this project will turn Darwin into an educational and economic powerhouse on the international stage, a place to build networks, collaborate and connect – a sophisticated cultural centre and a thriving world city for the benefit of locals and the national economy alike,” Minister King said.

NT Minister for Business, Jobs and Training Paul Kirby said the construction of the precinct would support the development and liveability of Darwin as the capital of Northern Australia.

“As the structure of the precinct begins to take its place in the Darwin City skyline, we are seeing the delivery of a new modern learning environment that will enhance Charles Darwin University’s attractiveness as a study institution of choice,” Minister Kirby said.

“The precinct will provide spaces for the broader community to enjoy, spreading activity to more areas of the Central Business District.”

Federal Member for Solomon Luke Gosling saidthe new campus and precinct will position Darwin as a future centre of educational excellence, attracting students from all over the country and the world, to live, work and study in Australia’s north.

“It is estimated that the new campus will increase economic output in the NT by more than $250 million over the next fifteen years, with significant flow-on effects for the whole region,” Mr Gosling said.

Ongoing works to complete the nine-level structure include installation of the external façade, the building’s fit out and landscaping works, expected to be completed in early 2024.

The Education and Community Precinct is the centrepiece of the Darwin City Deal – the partnership between the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the City of Darwin to invest in transformational projects that make more liveable, sustainable and connected cities.

Once complete, the new city campus will be a significant driver of economic, social and cultural opportunities for Darwin, and the whole of Northern Australia, cementing the community’s future capacity to thrive, grow and prosper.

Charles Darwin University is inviting submissions for purpose-built student accommodation in the Darwin CBD.

EOI opens for new student accommodation to be developed in Darwin CBD

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Charles Darwin University is inviting submissions for purpose-built student accommodation in the Darwin CBD.
Charles Darwin University is inviting submissions for purpose-built student accommodation in the Darwin CBD.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for organisations wishing to tender on the design, development, and operation of new student accommodation in the Darwin CBD.

CDU is inviting submissions for purpose-built student accommodation, or the provision of student accommodation from suitable existing or redeveloped buildings in Darwin.

Charles Darwin University (CDU) Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the new Education and Community Precinct in Cavenagh Street, which is due to be completed in 2024, will attract additional international and domestic students, who need suitable accommodation. 

“CDU is looking to expand its current student accommodation options over the coming years to better cater to the needs of the student community in the Territory,” Professor Bowman said.

Professor Bowman said some of the projected demand could be met through developing and operating facilities on the site of the new CBD campus, but additional capacity will also be required by developing new facilities on private land or leasing rooms in existing or re-purposed facilities.

“We know that many students have struggled to find suitable accommodation options close to the city and the university,” he said. 

“As we see student numbers increase, particularly from international and domestic students, demand for student accommodation will only continue, and we don’t want that to be a barrier to study.

“Arriving in Australia as an international student can be incredibly daunting for many students, so this is about supporting students with that transition and ensuring they have adequate housing to succeed while they are at university.”

It is estimated that around 1,200 students are currently living in private accommodation in Darwin, with the projected demand for additional student accommodation to cater for the growth in international students estimated to be between 250 and 300 beds in 2025, increasing by a further 120 by 2028.

CDU is also looking to better support its international student community by offering additional accommodation options to support students to find suitable accommodation. CDU will also be looking at expanding student accommodation options in Alice Springs.

Interested organisations are asked to register their interest with Tenderlink at tenderlink.com/cdu