Melbourne-based architecture collective NAAU and landscape architects Enclous have unveiled new masterplan to transform Jabiru town, located 253 kilometres southeast of Darwin in the Kakadu National Park and is a high profile tourist area that attracts many thousands of visitors a year.

Developed by Stafford Strategy Consultancy Group in close collaboration with the Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, the new development received a $446 million funding for public-private partnerships that are developed in the masterplan.

According to the new masterplan, the town will completely be reoriented and will incorporate new accommodation units, education buildings and health services, and a World Heritage Interpretation Center.

The design scheme presents a vibrant future for the Jabiru community, with socially sustainable tourism capitalising on Kakadu’s internationally recognised environmental and cultural heritage, as the area takes place in the World Heritage list status. 

Jabiru town is known with its uranium mining industry, which is the reason for the establishment of the Jabiru Township. The new masterplan strategy will prepare the community and the area for a comprehensive business case for the Jabiru township to repurpose as a tourism destination post mining. 

As the project site will be prepared for a pre-development state, the mine and the town are scheduled to be closed in 2021. The new  World Heritage Interpretation Centre, expected to cost $57.7 million, will be situated at the edge of a rehabilitated lake and recreated wetland. When built, visitors will have views towards the Kakadu escarpment and the building is designed with a series of buttress-like formations similar to those of the escarpment.

The masterplan will also include a carefully-prepared landscape plan that attracting visitors' focus towards the town with the expanded lake and wetlands, paths, boardwalks and lookouts.

A number of accommodation units and recreational buildings will contain a five-star lodge for clamping facilities and eco-recreation hub with a wellness centre. 

All new buildings will be built from local materials to echo the town's tradition construction techniques and the way the Traditional Owners occupy buildings. New building will be partially closed while all the structures are climatically controlled.

The design team closely worked with Mirarr people to integrate the new masterplan. The future of Jabiru is important for Mirarr and all Aboriginal people across the Kakadu region.

"We want people to visit our country, we are proud when people understand our culture. We want Jabiru to be a place where we are proud to live and proud to welcome tourists and visitors. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people can work together to make this town better after mining has gone. We will decide how we want Jabiru to be in the future and together we will make it a beautiful place," said Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation chairperson and Mirarr Traditional Owner Annie Ngalmirama.

A reimagined Jabiru will completely change the way tourists experience the town and will provide suitable resources and infrastructure for locals and visitors.

The Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) received masterplan proposal in June 2018 and sent a detailed plans to cease the operations in uranium mine in 2021. Land rehabilitation is expected to be completed in 2026.

Funding for the operation of the design teams and development corporation are ready for 5 – 10 years, which starts now. The federal government seeks additional funding to conclude the project for the scheduled date.

All images courtesy of NAAU & Enclous

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