A Commonwealth-owned defence housing agency has been fined over $18,000 for illegally clearing land at Lee Point, a well-known birdwatching spot on the outskirts of Darwin. Defence Housing Australia (DHA) plans to build a residential complex for military families at the site to support the growing defence presence in the Northern Territory.
The development has drawn ongoing criticism from environmental groups and members of the Larrakia community, who have raised concerns over threats to cultural heritage and endangered wildlife, such as the Gouldian finch.
Tensions escalated in April 2024 when DHA resumed land clearing, leading to clashes between protesters and police and sparking accusations of unlawful activity. Following a year-long investigation, the federal environment department has issued DHA a $18,780 infringement notice for clearing outside of the approved development stage.
DHA acknowledged the breach, stating that a “small area” was cleared between April 30 and May 2, 2024, in violation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The agency emphasized its commitment to regulatory compliance, noting that the infringement does not invalidate its existing environmental approvals.
The Australian Conservation Foundation’s lead investigator, Annica Schoo, welcomed the fine but criticized the breach itself. “It’s one of the most controversial housing developments in Australia, and they still managed to destroy habitat that everyone is fighting to protect,” she said.
Kirsty Howey, executive director of Environment Centre NT, said the penalty was “little more than a slap on the wrist” and a reflection of “how profoundly broken our environmental laws are.”
The Lee Point development has been stalled multiple times in recent years. In 2022, work was paused for a year while then-environment minister Tanya Plibersek reviewed the potential impact on endangered species. Another eight-month delay followed in 2023 after Larrakia elders submitted an emergency application.
Larrakia Danggalaba community leader Lorraine Williams called the clearing “heartbreaking” and urged current Environment Minister Murray Watt to revoke DHA’s environmental approvals to prevent further cultural and ecological damage.
