Nearly nine months after the Lawler Labor Government approved a land grant for the St Savvas of Kalymnos Greek Orthodox Church in Darwin, the Albanese Federal Labor Government has pledged $5 million towards the development of a new community centre in Northcrest, if re-elected.
“This project will be an iconic moment for our Greek Orthodox community in Northern Australia,” Luke Gosling MP said after making the announcement, describing the new space as a much-needed community hub in the heart of Darwin.
The funding will be allocated solely to the construction of the community centre and related site amenities.
In a statement, the church clarified that funds “would not be used to build the parish church.”
The planned facility will feature a large-format reception hall with a commercial kitchen, a mid-sized space for 80–120 people with a kitchenette, and two smaller rooms suitable for 25–35 people each.
These areas are intended to support a variety of community events, learning opportunities, and multipurpose uses.
“The facility will be open to all community groups and be another piece of community infrastructure to help support our growing multicultural population,” the church’s statement read.
