Natasha Fyles cautious on Canberra’s move to review Lee Point housing development

The Chief Minister has asked for a briefing after the federal government announced it had re-opened discussions into the sprawling Lee Point development.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles was blindsided by the federal government’s decision to review Defence Housing Australia’s (DHA) development at Lee Point.

Last week, a spokesman for the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water told the NT News it had re-opened discussions about the Lee Point housing project with Defence Housing Australia.

The announcement was a shock to the NT government, which was not consulted about the change.

Residential development at Lee Point has been on the books since 2015 and previous federal governments have ignored protests against the project.

But the arrival earlier this year of colonies of Gouldian finch to Lee Point has forced a re-think by the federal government, which is now “actively working” with DHA “to assess the implications for the project”.

Gouldian finch

“We have a situation that an area went through a zoning process and it was quite detailed,” Ms Fyles said.

“There was the environmental assessment done and we need to remember that Darwin and Alice Springs once upon a time were much smaller towns.

“My electorate of Nightcliff used to be bushland. That was a day’s adventure from downtown Darwin.

“So in terms of this development it has gone through a process but we acknowledge there’s strong community concern and I’ve asked to be briefed on what the federal minister has been asked to do and is looking at so I’m happy to provide more information once I’ve been fully briefed on this.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Floss Adams.

“We’re happy to work with the federal government (on Lee Point). I think that we do need to see land developed and we do need to have homes.

“We certainly have got some land release for Territorians coming online and we know the importance if we’re growing our economy, we need places for people to live. But at the same time there has been some change factors out there so we just want to make sure all of that is taken into consideration.

“But we can’t every time we plan for something and then find out facts later, once it’s been through a process – we do need to be careful about changes. So I’m looking forward to being fully briefed from the federal minister and working together on this issue.”

Federal government intervenes in Lee Point

The federal government has announced it is reviewing Defence Housing Australia’s Lee Point development.

The 800-home development across 131ha over two stages at Lee Point, 31km from Darwin, has been the subject of community opposition in recent years.

Stage 2 is scheduled to start soon.

In 2019, the federal government approved a DHA application under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to build more homes at the site.

But the recent arrival of the endangered Gouldian finch to Lee Point has thrown a feathery spanner in DHA’s works.

Responding to questions sent to the office of Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek about community concerns with the project, a spokesman for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water indicated a review was under way.

Minister the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“In March 2019, a delegate of the then minister for the environment approved Defence Housing Australia’s proposal to construct more homes at Lee Point, under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999,” the spokesman said.

“With the marked increase in Gouldian finch numbers at Lee Point this year, the minister has received feedback from the community about the impacts of Defence Housing Australia’s project on this species.

“The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is considering all available information in relation to this matter, including information provided to the minister by community members.

NT Greens deputy convenor Jonathan Parry. Picture: Monique Van Der Heyden

“The department is aware that the next stage of this development is scheduled to commence in the coming weeks and is actively working with Defence Housing Australia to assess the implications for the project.”

Temporary construction fences have been installed at Lee Point and work on the project’s second stage is expected to begin next week.

NT Greens deputy convenor Jonathan Parry said a review of existing approvals was necessary because they were made before the Gouldian finch was identified at Lee Point.

“What’s surprising is that this project is still going ahead without further consideration because the previous plans approving the development were pre-pandemic and pre-changing environmental circumstances,” he said.

“We’ve seen a change in our country’s attitude to environmental protection and a need for sustainable habitats for biodiversity and the changed view on impacts of climate change and bad development on a sustainable future.”

Gouldian finch.

Environment Centre NT co-director Kirsty Howey said a citizen-science project at Lee Point over the past three months had drawn attention to the arrival of the Gouldian finch and increasing numbers at Lee Point.

“We welcome this response from the Commonwealth,” Ms Howey said.

“It shows the minister is taking this seriously, as she should, and ultimately this is a precautionary approach because the last thing we need is to obliterate the habitat of a threatened species without considering the implications.

“Our view is consistent with Friends of Lee Point that a biodiversity corridor where the Gouldian finch and other species of animals and birds dwell should be preserved, even if that means changing part of that development.”

A Defence Housing Australia spokesman said “all necessary approvals” were obtained for the project.

“DHA takes its environmental responsibilities seriously,” the spokesman said. “A robust environmental assessment process has been undertaken in accordance with Territory and Commonwealth laws to obtain all necessary approvals, permits and other authorisations to undertake the project.

“Approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 was obtained following a detailed assessment of the impacts of the Project on biodiversity, including the Gouldian finch.

“DHA continues to work with its experts, with the Commonwealth Environmental Minister and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water in relation to the project, which will provide much needed accommodation for Australian Defence Force members and their families.”

Friends of Lee Point have organised a rally at Lee Point for Saturday morning.

.

Originally published as Natasha Fyles cautious on Canberra’s move to review Lee Point housing development