Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek rejects Lee Point cultural heritage application
A controversial 800-home Lee Point development has been given the green light from the Feds, to the dismay of Traditional Owners. Find out the latest.
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Bulldozers could soon be returning to Lee Point after an emergency application from Traditional Owners was rejected.
The controversial 800-home Defence Housing Australia development at Binybara, Lee Point has been opposed by Traditional Owners, environmentalists and community members, with long running protests escalating to arrests.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek dropped the Easter surprise on Thursday, by rejecting a cultural heritage application and greenlighting the development.
Ms Plibersek said under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Heritage Protection Act she could only make a protection declaration for cultural sites within the development area.
“Based on evidence provided to me and the definitions under law, I was not satisfied there is a significant Aboriginal area within the 132-hectare development area,” she said.
However, Ms Plibersek said she recognised that the wider Binybara, Lee Point peninsula was a culturally important area, with 92 per cent of the peninsula recognised and protected under NT laws.
The announcement comes after the NT Government declared 1500 hectares of Binybara a national park.
In July Defence Housing Australia have voluntarily committed to pausing works until March 31 while the heritage application was considered.
In a statement on Friday, DHA said it would “determine the next steps for this development in due course”.
The rejection was a blow to Traditional Owners and Environmental Justice Australia, who lodged the protection application last year.
Environmental Justice Australia said Traditional Owners were considering all legal options and vowed to continue the fight to protect Lee Point from bulldozers.
Traditional Owners are devastated by the Albanese Government's decision to allow a controversial development at Lee Point in Darwin to proceed, which they say will desecrate a significant Aboriginal area. pic.twitter.com/fGrNpTV8PY
— Environmental Justice Australia (@EJ_Aus) March 28, 2024
Larrakia Danggalaba Traditional Owner Tibby Quall, who was the main applicant, said his community was “devastated and disappointed” by the decision.
“It’s disrespectful to our culture and country,” he said.
“They should come and talk to us face-to-face, but they’ve got all the power, so it’s done with a pen and paper. It’s not right.
“We want to share our Country with everyone in Darwin that loves the outdoor lifestyle and all the tourists, so it’s just devastating for everyone.”
Fellow Traditional Owner Lorraine Williams said this was the only place close to Darwin where her family could teach the next generation about the history and culture of Larrakia people.
“We’re not doing this for ourselves, we’re defending our lands to honour our Elders,” she said.
“At the end of the day, money talks, and we get left out of decision-making.”
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