Group in fight to save land

A GROUP of concerned residents has taken to Dick Ward Drive to protest the development of land in Ludmilla.

Bill Day protests on Dickward Drive Coconut Grove against the proposed traffic lights.

A GROUP of concerned residents has taken to Dick Ward Drive to protest the development of land in Ludmilla.

Protester Bill Day said the plans for the land included a Jape light industrial subdivision on the Kulaluk lease area between Dick Ward Drive and Bagot Road, with access from Dick Ward Drive.

“The development will inevitably lead to traffic lights being installed between Totem Road and Fitzer Drive, slowing the flow of traffic,” he said.

Mr Day said the land, which was once part of Bagot ­Reserve, should remain untouched.

“As open bushland in the city, this land is priceless — it cannot be replaced,” he said.

“And as an industrial estate, it would be alienated from Aboriginal use forever.”

Mr Day said he helped save the land for the Larrakia people in the 1970s.

“The Larrakia people are starting to realise what they stand to lose,” he said.

“And a lot of the environmental people are saying they want to see (the land) as part of a green belt from East Point through to the airport.”

Mr Day said this was the last chance to save the land.

“The (developers) have enough approvals to start clearing any time they like, but they still need approvals to raise the levels of the ground.”

Darwin council’s Luccio Cercarelli said no final decision had been made in relation to the intersection, but “lights are one option which could be considered”. Darwin International Airport has objected to the development.