For more than two decades, thousands of people have descended on Mindil Beach for the Territory Day fireworks celebrations — but that won’t be the case this year.

In a snap decision by the NT Major Events Company, this year’s Territory Day display will be held at the Darwin Waterfront instead.

The ABC understands the company decided to switch sites after realising it did not have an authority certificate from the NT’s sacred sites watchdog.

“The length of time they would need to get that authority would be pushing it to get to Territory Day, so they made the decision to have Territory Day at the Waterfront,” Chief Minister Eva Lawler said.

Ms Lawler said the change in venue was also down to a “communication breakdown”.

The authority certificate is not mandatory, and it is understood NT Major Events has not held any such certificate in past years.

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) told the ABC it did not provide any advice recommending the July 1 celebrations be moved.

“Mindil Beach is a registered sacred site of utmost significance to Larrakia people and a place that is celebrated by the Darwin community,” an AAPA spokesperson said.

“Any decisions regarding event planning and location are a matter for the organiser.”

NT Major Events did not confirm if the event would return to Mindil Beach in future years.

Mindil Beach stallholders voice concern

Stallholders for the popular Mindil Markets, which is traditionally open on Territory Day, have expressed disappointment about the last-minute change.

Lauretta Ridgers has held a stall at Mindil Beach markets on Territory Day for more than 20 years.

Ms Ridgers said this year’s change comes on top of an already slower-than-usual year.

“Mindil Market stallholders are struggling this year, retail is down in the whole of Darwin, so it’s a big thing to lose another source of income,” she said.

Irene Singh, a former market stallholder and Darwin local for 35 years, said the impact would be significant.

“It’s an extra day of trading … it’ll be devastating for them to have lost it,” she said.

Some Darwin residents feel the change of venue could also impact attendance.

“It’s going to stop people going to see the fireworks … the Waterfront has plenty of spots, but Mindil Beach is just unbelievable,” Darwin local Seth Tutton said.

Long-term residents Suza Rajbhandari and Jennifer Rodriguez have enjoyed going to Mindil Beach to celebrate Territory Day in the past, but they said it was too early to say whether the new location would be a success.

“[Mindil Beach] is kind of an iconic place to be and there’s the market, so it seems a little weird,” Mr Rajbhandari said.

“But you never know until it actually happens. It might be better.”