Federal Environment Department making enquiries into allegations of unlawful clearing at Lee Point

Defence Housing Australia faces fresh federal enquiries into potential breaches of the Environment Protection Act. Find out why these allegations of unlawful clearing have emerged.

A controversial housing development is facing a federal government investigation following allegations of unlawful clearing at Lee Point, Darwin.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has confirmed it was making enquiries into Defence Housing Australia’s development at Lee Point following allegations of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act noncompliance.

Environmental Justice Australia and Larrakia Danggalaba Traditional Owner Kevin ‘Tibby’ Quall alleged that bulldozers cleared more than 20m into areas that had not yet gained all Federal development approvals.

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

The EJA alleged that clearing breached more than 20m beyond the permitted areas without a Strategy and Offset Plan for the endangered Gouldian Finch, or a revised Construction Environmental Management Plan.

It was also alleged that the DHA did not meet conditions for the protection of the Black-footed Tree Rat, an endangered native mammal.

The federal breach allegations come five months after Defence Housing Australia paused works at its 740-home development at Binybara, Lee Point, following similar reports of unlawful clearing under the NT planning agreements.

Save Lee Point demonstrators including Independent candidates for Johnston Justine Davis, Karama Justine Glover, Nightcliff Mililma May and Green candidate for Fannie Bay Suki Dorras-Walker outside the NT Parliament on Wednesday July 31. Picture: Zizi Averill

Footage obtained by the NT News showed a six hectare area near Bilingga St and Bambatj Rd that was allegedly cleared despite DHA reportedly still waiting approval from the Development Consent Authority.

Last week a NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics spokeswoman said the investigation was still ongoing, but could not provide a time frame for the matter’s conclusion.

DHA said it was committed to working both with the Territory government and Federal Environment department to progress the Lee Point development.

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

“Throughout the entirety of the project, DHA has taken significant steps regarding environmental considerations,” a spokeswoman said.

DHA said its masterplan included provisions for green space and biodiversity, a 11.9-hectare area protected under Environmental Protection Authority as well as a 33-hectare conservation area, a 50-metre-wide wildlife corridor to support the Gouldian Finch as well as areas for community facilities and a school.

“Lee Point is a significant project not just for the Defence families for whom we have a responsibility to provide housing, but also for its contribution to the NT economy and assistance in addressing the housing shortage in Darwin,” a DHA spokeswoman said.