Danggalaba Traditional Owner Tibby Quall appeals for sacred site recognition for Lee Point
Three days after land clearing restarted, Traditional Owners have launched a fresh attempt to ‘pause’ the Lee Point development.
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The Territory’s Aboriginal sacred sites watchdog has confirmed Lee Point developers still have permission to clear bushland, despite an eleventh hour appeal.
Three days after land clearing restarted at Lee Point, Environmental Justice Australia contacted the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority seeking registration of sacred sites at Binybara, Lee Point.
The application on behalf of Danggalaba Traditional Owner Tibby Quall requested that multiple sites within the 132-hectare site be recognised.
In 2018 the AAPA granted an authority certificate to the controversial Defence Housing Australia development.
It found there were no sacred sites within the clearing zone, but there were two registered sites outside it.
The AAPA recommended DHA work with Larrakia people to preserve an area of cultural significance within the site.
Despite the request to review new sacred sites on Thursday, an AAPA spokeswoman confirmed the six-year-old authority certificate “remains valid and in force”.
“Registration of sacred sites involves extensive research with numerous custodians. Once complete, the Authority’s Board then considers the site registration request,” she said.
“The Authority does not have the power to issue a stop work order.”
Mr Quall maintained “there are sacred sites within and encompassing the development area”, including the Danggalaba Dreaming track, a sacred waterway and traditional camping places and ceremonial grounds.
“We have to consider all avenues available to us to stop the bulldozers,” Mr Quall said.
The EJA said the latest appeal follows a failed attempt to get an emergency cultural heritage application from the Federal Government.
Just before Easter, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said she was “not satisfied” there were significant Aboriginal areas within the development zone.
The EJA said Mr Quall was still considering all his legal options, and had not ruled out an attempt to appeal Ms Plibersek’s ruling.
On Thursday Defence Housing Australia said it “welcomed” the recommencement of works at Lee Point, after delays to address environmental and cultural concerns.
“DHA has obtained all necessary approvals to undertake the development, including planning, environmental and cultural heritage approvals,” it said.
It said a quarter of the 132-hectare development had been set aside for conservation purposes, including a 22 hectares transferred to the NT Parks department and a 50m wide wildlife corridor.
The project is expected to deliver 800 homes, parklands and recreational areas, a community centre area and a new primary school area.
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