Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young defends Binybara Camp, Lee Point

A southern senator has gone in to bat for Lee Point after a months-long fight by locals who oppose development at the site.

Territorians gathered at Binybara (Lee Point) Camp to host a vigil, celebrate the pause on development, and listen to songs and stories from Larrakia and Maningrida Elders. Picture: Sierra Haigh

A Greens Senator has gone in to bat for Lee Point.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young visited Lee Point on Wednesday evening to see first-hand why protesters have fought to keep Binybara clear of Defence Housing Australia’s development.

She called for an urgent moratorium on clearing at the site.

Ms Hanson-Young said she planned to raise the issue with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on Friday.

“We are in a climate crisis – our planet is warming, our climate is getting more and more destructive and dangerous, we are in an environment crisis, in an extinction crisis,” she said.

“We have to stop destroying the very things that make our communities liveable, wonderful, special, precious, we have to stop destroying the very country that nurtures us.”

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young visited Binybara Camp, Lee Point on Wednesday evening.

Her comments come after a longstanding battle between developers and advocates, who say the site is home to more than 260 bird species, about 700 old growth trees – some more than 100 years old.

The advocates say the site is a beloved stretch of urban bushland for local residents.

A Binybara Camp spokeswoman previously told the NT News the DHA proposal was “deeply unpopular and has no social license”.

“The feeling around Darwin is palpable and unequivocal: we want Lee Point to be saved,” she said.

“We will not let Lee Point be bulldozed.”

A DHA spokesperson said the organisation would determine its next steps “in due course”.

“The Lee Point development will support defence in providing additional housing for Australian Defence Force members and their families based in Darwin,” they said.

“Defence Housing Australia will determine the next steps for this development in due course, after considering the outcome of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s decision.”