Award-winning Sunbuild will construct and fit out the Larrakia Cultural Centre.

The building will have strong Aboriginal themes. Sunbuild managing director Neil Sunners says: “We are very proud to be involved in this project. It’s an intricate, interesting job.

“The Larrakia Cultural Centre will be a stunning building – a credit to the Territory and Aboriginal people.”

The $45 million building, designed by Darwin-based Rossi Architects, will sit on the site of the old aquarium at Stokes Hill Wharf, only a boomerang’s throw from the Darwin Convention Centre and the proposed new five-star hotel.

It will be in the shape of a bird with one wing hanging over the sea.

There will be a semi-basement and two floors with plenty of room for galleries, offices and a restaurant. Landscaping will include women’s and men’s areas, and saltwater and freshwater ponds.

A boardwalk running alongside the building will eventually be linked to a 10-kilometre walkway running along the coast from Fishermen’s Wharf to Cullen Bay.

“I’m particularly pleased to see the boardwalk idea taking off,” says Mr Sunners. “I first pushed for it in 1989.”

The historic pumphouse next to the centre will not be touched. The project will create 160 jobs.

“We’ll use as many Aboriginal workers as possible,” says Mr Sunners.

“And, of course, they will be given mentorship and excellent training.”

Aboriginal artists will be contracted to paint part of the building.

Work has started and will finish in October next year.

Sunbuild – motto: Build With Pride – has won a swag of awards for its work over many years.

Recent award-winning projects include stage 2 of Zuccoli Primary School, Darwin Private Hospital Mental Health Unit, George Brown Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre and Bunnings at Yarrawonga.

The company also built Evolution on Gardiner, the Northern Territory’s tallest building, and the Spirit on the Avenue urban village.

Sunbuild supports several community and sporting groups, and has earned a good reputation for using local subcontractors whenever possible.