Directors Neil and Desley Sunners have led more than 320 projects since the business was founded in 1994. 

Projects have ranged from $1 million to $88 million. 

Sunbuild has won 50 major Master Builders and Territory Construction Association awards – tributes to its hard work, skill, relentless attention to detail, transparency and commitment to the community. 

Neil has a soft spot for the 33-storey Evolution, the commercial and apartment tower with spectacular views across Darwin’s near-pristine harbour. 

He considers it the best place to live in the Northern Territory. 

But Evolution has two new challengers to the title of the Territory’s finest building – the Larrakia Cultural Centre and the Northern Land Council’s headquarters. 

Both are beautiful, imaginative buildings even by world standards. 

“We’re very proud to be involved in these prestigious projects,” says Neil. “Both will be great assets to the Territory and great celebrations of Indigenous culture.” 

The $45 million Larrakia Cultural Centre, designed by Darwin-based Rossi Architects, sits on the site of the old aquarium at Stokes Hill Wharf, only a boomerang’s throw from the Darwin Convention Centre. 

The building is in the shape of a bird with one wing hanging over the sea. 

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. 

The historic pumphouse next to the centre is not being touched. 

The project created 160 jobs. 

Sunbuild – motto: Build With Pride – is also building the $60 million Northern Land Council’s HQ in the Northcrest commercial centre in Berrimah. 

It is in the shape of a woomera – a traditional and highly effective spear-throwing device – and will be 125 metres long and 17 metres wide. 

And the entry and exterior shade will be a work of woven carpentry craftsmanship to represent another Aboriginal icon, the dilly bag, as a representative of the cultural authority of women and their importance to cultural stories and law. 

The elegant building will not just be offices for land council staff, servicing constituents and other members of the public, but also be a cultural hub, showcasing the history and culture of the NLC’s seven regions. 

The late NLC chair Dr Bush-Blanasi was a strong supporter of the new HQ. 

“He was very keen for Aboriginal people to be involved in the design and construction work,” says Mr Sunners. 

The work has created more than 300 jobs. 

Sunbuild is also carrying out two projects at Casuarina Square – upgrading the Quarter food and shopping precinct, and building a much-needed underground carpark, which will include a pick-up bay for online Woolworths orders, in effect, making Woolies a drive-through. 

Other projects in the Sunbuild’s impressive portfolio include The Avenue, Darwin’s first “urban village”. 

The company employs about 70 staff and supports many Territory contractors. 

“It’s our policy to use local subcontractors,” says Desley. “We’re local so we support other local businesses whenever possible. The only time we look elsewhere is if the service can’t be provided locally.” 

Sunbuild employs six apprentices, all carpenters, two of them school-based apprentices who go to school two days a week and work for the remaining three. 

“The school-based apprenticeship scheme is amazing,” says Desley. “Not everyone is academic, not everyone has to go to university – and we’re crying out for tradies.”. 

Sunbuild is entrenched in the local community and happily supports sports and community groups, including: 

• Top End Gran Fondo 
• Waratah Netball Club 
• Movember 
• Southern Districts Cricket Club 
• Scouts 
• Mates In Construction 
• AUFS Chief Minister’s Cup 
• Cancer Council NT Relay for Life 

AN ARCHITECT’S IMPRESSION OF THE NORTHERN LAND COUNCIL HQ