12 Mile Chinatown, Douglas-Daly

12 mile Chinatown Douglas-Daly

Image Courtesy of: Heritage Council Northern Territory

Twelve Mile Chinatown, Settlement and Battery Site are of high archaeological significance and, since the loss of the sites at Union Reef and the majority of the Pine Creek sites to mining development, it has taken on an added historical significance in being one of a now small group of significant sites which have not been disturbed by developmental activity.
The settlement and battery sites have acquired historic significance as the centre of a small but widely known European and Chinese settlement - forerunner of the administration township of Burrundie. The site contains a variety of interpretive subjects.

Following the move to Burrundie the Chinese took over the township and battery. The Chinese market gardens provided badly needed fresh produce to the miners in the district. The temple was also of considerable social importance being a meeting place and place of worship for the community.

The presence of the near intact Chinese oven is of major significance not only for the Northern Territory but also for its research value on a National level. It is one of a few remaining in the Northern Territory and is considered of great importance on a National level as these types of ovens have only been found on a few sites in Australia.

Source: Heritage Council Northern Territory http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/heritageregister/f?p=103:303::::NO:P303_PLACE_ID:77#http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/heritageregister/f?p=103:303::::NO:P303_PLACE_ID:77#