Locals rally to save Lee Point from proposed defence housing development, call for more consultation

Almost a thousand Darwin residents have signed a petition objecting to the redevelopment of a part of Lee Point into defence housing, saying more consultation and planning needs to be done.

Dave Percival, Gayle Laidlaw and Ian Redmond want to stop part of the Lee Point bushland in Darwin’s northern suburbs from being turned into a new housing development. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

ALMOST a thousand Darwin residents have signed a petition objecting to the redevelopment of a part of Lee Point into defence housing, saying more consultation and planning needs to be done.

The NT government’s Lee Point Area Plan allows for the development of 131 hectares of land on the coast of Darwin’s northern suburbs to accommodate 800 new homes for Defence families.

Member of activist group Friends of Lee Point and retired engineer Ian Redmond said the development would be detrimental to the area’s natural beauty and tourism potential.

“The main concern is we feel like people are just going to lose a really valuable area of Lee Point. It’s going to affect people’s enjoyment of Lee Point, it’s going to affect tourism,” he said.

MORE TOP NEWS

Berry Springs Tavern welcomes a new pet – a 4.5m saltwater croc

Noonamah Rodeo returns with a vengeance

First look: Darwin’s $300m stadium plans take shape

“Environmentally, it’s a disaster. Lee Point has 80 per cent of the bird species at Kakadu.”

Mr Redmond said the Territory taxpayer will be hit with a number of unexpected costs including traffic management and public transport, and that development should be done where infrastructure already exists.

“Traffic congestion is already happening out there from Muirhead and Lyons,” he said.

“The developer will make money, but who’s going to fix all the traffic congestion?

“There has been no cost benefit, no look at social or economic benefits.”

Mr Redmond said he had unsuccessfully tried to meet with Planning Minister Eva Lawler a number of times.

Lee Point, in Darwin’s northern suburbs. Picture: Che Chorley

Ms Lawler told the NT News: “Defence Housing Australia has been leading this project, however, before the Development Consent Authority issues an approval, there are a range of measures which take place to make sure proposed developments do not overly impact the environment.

“Decisions regarding planning, building and this Defence Housing Australia project follows extensive community consultations and environmental studies by the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy and the NT Environmental Protection Authority.”

Anyone interested in the issue is invited to attend a public meeting this Thursday, May 27, at Lee Point.

Follow @MsSarahMatthews