Defence Housing Australia stops work at Lee Point over alleged illegal land clearing

Defence Housing Australia has stopped work at Lee Point following allegations of illegal clearing.

Defence Housing Australia has stopped work at Lee Point following allegations of illegal clearing at the controversial housing development.

DHA has confirmed that as of Tuesday further works had been paused at its 800-home development in Darwin’s northern suburbs.

It comes a week after land clearing resumed at Lee Point, sparking three days of clashes between Save Lee Point protesters, police, security guards and construction crews.

While DHA has gained approval for Stages 1 and 2 of its development, drone footage of the site provided to the NT News allegedly shows the clearing extended beyond the approved area.

The footage shows a six hectare area near Bilingga St and Bambatj Rd, known as Stage 3, that has been allegedly cleared.

Defence Housing Australia has stopped work at Lee Point following allegations of illegal clearing within Stage 3 of the controversial housing development.

There have been no public announcements for approvals about Stage 3, and it was understood that DHA was still awaiting approval from the Development Consent Authority for its Erosion Sediment Control Plan.

DHA has maintained it had “obtained all primary approvals to undertake the development”, and was “committed to continuing to work with the local government to comply with all conditions for the development”.

Defence Housing Australia has stopped work at Lee Point following allegations of illegal clearing within Stage 3 of the controversial housing development.

DHA chair Robert Lang and acting Managing Director Paul Groenewegen met with the NT Government to discuss the Lee Point development on Tuesday.

“We are in Darwin to reaffirm our commitment to working with the Northern Territory Government and the local community on Lee Point to deliver housing for the Darwin community and ADF members and their families,” they said.

However, in a letter obtained by the NT News, DHA confirmed the pause on the work was to review the land clearing allegations.

Binybara Camp protesters have been attempting to delay and block land clearing at the Lee Point Defence Housing Australia site for three days. Picture: Uprising of the People/ Instagram

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics has also confirmed it raised the allegations of alleged illegal clearing, with the matter referred to the Development Consent Authority.

“Complaints relating to a failure to follow the Northern Territory Planning Scheme and zoning laws, development permit conditions, or endorsed plans are taken very seriously,” a spokeswoman said.

“The matter has been referred to the DCA. Should the DCA decide that enforcement action is required, this action may range from negotiated outcomes, warning letters, penalty notices and in the most significant cases, legal prosecutions.”

Breaches of Planning Act can result in a maximum penalty of $78,500.

Larrakia Danggalaba Traditional Owner Tibby Quall opposed the Defence Housing Australia development at Lee Point.

Danggalaba Traditional Owner Tibby Quall said he was concerned the alleged unlawful clearing occurred in an area of cultural significance.

“The clearing is disgusting and hurtful and ignorant,” Mr Quall said.

“We’re supposed to be decision makers too, but Aboriginal people have been neglected and ignored.”

Mr Quall has called for a number of sacred sites to be recognised within the 132-hectare area, despite the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority and Federal Environment minister not confirming culturally protected areas within the development zone.

Binybara Camp protester Jessica Black and others were removed from the Lee Point development site as land clearing begins on Tuesday, April 30. Picture: Zizi Averill

Binybara Camp community campaigner Jessica Black said the “senseless destruction” of Lee Point was “harrowing to watch”.

“Authorities on site failed to respond to the community’s complaints of alleged unlawful clearing,” Ms Black said.

“While the community was heavily policed for trying to defend nature, where were the authorities tasked with enforcing DHA’s compliance with the law?”

Kirsty Howey from the Environment Centre NT talks about conflicts of interest in the NT's water licencing regime. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Environment Centre NT executive director Kirsty Howey called for an investigation into the DHA’s alleged illegal land clearing.

“If proven, these allegations are a national scandal,” Dr Howey said.

“It beggars belief that a government agency may have been responsible for alleged unlawful conduct at the site.”

Friends of Lee Point and NT Field Naturalists Club have also joined calls for an investigation.

This is the third time in three years the Lee Point development has been stalled.