Larrakia Elders, environmentalists celebrate Lee Point win during vigil

A vigil at Binybara Camp was brimming with songs and stories as Elders and environmentalists alike celebrated another win against Lee Point developers.

The vigil comes after weeks of lobbying and protests at the development site before plans to clear the land were initially paused until Monday. Picture: Sierra Haigh

“Rallying at Lee Point, we shall not be moved.”

The tune was one of many that joined the birdsong and whistling winds during a vigil at Binybara Camp on Sunday evening.

Traditional Owners and environmentalists converged at the Lee Point site to celebrate as the sun set on another day without land clearing after work on the controversial development was halted until August 11.

Larrakia Elder Eric Fejo spoke of the cultural and historical importance of Binybara (Lee Point). Picture: Sierra Haigh

Larrakia Elder Eric Fejo said he had never lived more than 20 miles from his birthplace and the cultural site was one of many reasons he would continue to stay.

“(Darwin) is the most beautiful place in the world as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

“With this development going on here to destroy and this madness, this nightmare they want to do for Middle Arm – this petrochemicals stuff – it's annoyed me.”

Territorians gathered at Binybara (Lee Point) Camp to host a vigil, celebrate the pause on development, and listen to songs and stories from Elders. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Mr Fejo said families from Maningrida, Gunbalanya and Elcho Island had come to show their support for saving Lee Point.

He said Binybara was a staging place to land canoes and to camp.

Mr Fejo said the site was also the resting place of a complete ichthyosaur fossil more than 120 million years old and about nine feet in size.

He said the exact location of the fossil was known by very few people in the NT.

“This is a cultural heritage site,” Mr Fejo said.

“What I’ve found out from my life experience is that the most effective way to destroy and obliterate a people is to deny them their own understanding of their own history.

“That’s what they’ve been doing, that’s what’s going on here.”

Maningrida Elder Gela called on the Territory community to stand up for Binybara (Lee Point). Picture: Sierra Haigh

The vigil comes after weeks of lobbying and protests at the development site.

Plans to clear the land were initially paused until Monday after Traditional Owners represented by Environmental Justice Australia made an emergency application to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act.

The application was lodged a day after heavy machinery moved in and at least 11 people attempting to halt the bulldozers were arrested.

The EJA lawyers then wrote to Ms Plibersek stating there was a “compelling” case to extend the development pause with developer Defence Housing Australia agreeing to stop work until August 11.

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