Larrakia leaders, environment and community groups are calling for new Environment Minister Murray Watt to revoke Defence Housing Australia’s approval, as it is revealed the federal government-owned business has been fined for breaching its federal environmental approval at Lee Point.
Following a year-long investigation, it has been revealed Defence Housing Australia was issued with an infringement notice by the federal environment department and ordered to pay a fine of $18,780.
The unlawful land clearing was first brought to light by community members following the bulldozing of habitat at Lee Point on 6 May 2024, as reported by ABC’s 7.30.
Works at the site were paused in May 2024 pending an investigation into alleged breaches under the NT Planning Act and federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
Community groups described the fine as little more than a slap on the wrist and called for Minister Watt to revoke DHA’s approval and stop any further destruction of threatened species habitat at Lee Point.
They have also called for promised environmental law reform to fix a system that is failing nature at Lee Point and across the country.
Lee Point/Binybara is an area of exceptional cultural and ecological significance beloved by Territorians, that is home to over 270 bird species. In 2022, hundreds of endangered Gouldian finches made the site their home, mobilising a powerful community campaign that gained national prominence.
Lee Point is also home to black-footed tree rats, northern brushtail possums, and an internationally significant population of migratory shorebirds, all listed as threatened under federal environmental law.
The proposed destruction at Lee Point has been singled out by experts as a sign of our broken federal environment laws.
The controversial project has come to a standstill three times in as many years. DHA stopped works at the site for close to 12 months while Minister Plibersek assessed the impact of the development on a population of endangered Gouldian finches under the EPBC Act.
Then, in August 2023, the works were again paused for eight months following an application by Larrakia elder Tibby Quall under federal cultural heritage laws. Works were paused in May 2024, following allegations of alleged unlawful bulldozing.
The environmental destruction at Lee Point has earned condemnation from people across Australia and the globe, from esteemed ecologists to Jane Goodall. The campaign has exposed the devastating price of Australia’s broken environmental laws and highlights Federal Labor’s inaction on progressing long-awaited reforms to the EPBC Act.
Lorraine Williams, Larrakia Danggalaba leader:
“Watching precious Lee Point being bulldozed last year was completely heartbreaking given the importance of this place to Larrakia people who have cared for it for thousands of years. I’m calling on Minister Murray Watt to immediately revoke DHA’s approval to stop any further cultural and ecological destruction at Lee Point.”
Dr Kirsty Howey, Executive Director of Environment Centre NT:
“DHA broke the law and must not be rewarded. This fine is little more than a slap on the wrist and shows how profoundly broken our environmental laws are. The Lee Point project should not be proceeding at all in a biodiversity crisis, much less when the developer has thumbed their nose at the rules. Minister Murray Watt must act to stop any further destruction at this site and fix our environment laws to stop species extinction once and for all.”
Annica Schoo, Australian Conservation Foundation lead investigator:
“This is one of Australia’s most controversial housing projects, yet was able to breach the conditions of its environmental approval and destroy threatened species habitat at Lee Point. This is another reminder that Australia’s national nature laws are broken and need urgent attention from federal Environment Minister Murray Watt.”
Brittany Hayward-Brown, Convener, Birdlife Top End:
“An internationally significant population of migratory shorebirds and habitat for over 270 bird species are put at risk by DHA’s development. The trust of the community in DHA has been destroyed. If they cannot follow the rules set in place by regulators to protect bird populations at Lee Point, then they should not be permitted to engage in any further destruction.”
Ian Redmond, Friends of Lee Point:
“This infringement notice proves once and for all that DHA can’t be trusted. Minister Murray Watt must take action immediately to heed community calls to save Lee Point.”
Nicholas Kirlew, PLan the Planning Action Network
“Where were the NTG agencies during this, and other matters that the community have been continuously bringing forward? In PLan’s opinion DHA has been riding roughshod on Territorians for many years on this one and our government and our public servants have been missing in action.”
Header image by Sophie, 9, 2023 Wild At Art competition
