Greetings,
This monthly newsletter (No. 64) includes: Nightcliff By-election, government updates, art, quiz, plants and wildlife.
1.0 Nightcliff By-election – candidate survey
Three out of the four candidates support a new Area Plan for Lee Point and a moratorium on development until it happens. Mr Anjan Paudel did not respond to the the survey – read more
Fig 1. FLP survey of Nightcliff By-election candidates in Feb 2026 – authorised by I. Redmond, Friends of Lee Point – 0427 796 470.
2.0 Government updates
Sustainability and Conservation – Addressing sustainability and conservation are ongoing problems for government.
Wilderness Australia (Australia’s longest running wilderness conservation organisation) believes reducing Australia’s net annual immigration to about 100,000 would take the pressure off wilderness and the environment.
For the NT, it is more about ensuring development occurs in the right locations. Housing thousands of people at Lee Point is not good for sustainability or conservation. There are plenty of suitable locations that can used for housing that are much closer to defence bases.
Fig 2. Map of possible locations for defence housing
NTCAT court hearing Tibby Quall vs NT Heritage Council – DHA advised that the court hearing is in April 2026.Until this matter is settled land clearing at Lee Point remains on hold – read more
NTCAT court hearing FLP vs DCA – 9.30am Friday 20 Feb 2026 – FLP and DCA attended the NTCAT hearing. FLP believe more action should have been taken by the NT Government (DCA) on DHA’s breach of the NT Planning Act. A decision is expected in March 2026 – read more
Fig 3. Supporters of Save Lee Point outside the NTCAT building prior to the hearing.
City of Darwin forum and presentation – Tuesday 24 Feb
Fig 4. People at the Public Forum prior to the 5.30pm presentation.
Representatives from Save Lee Point and DHA presented to council on Lee Point, refer summary.
3.0 Lee Point Artwork
Fig 5. Artwork from Lee Point Painting Workshop.
People enjoyed the Sunday 15 Feb painting workshop at ECNT Nightcliff Space.
4.0 Quiz
Tawny Frogmouths are found throughout Australia and protected in the Territory. In Greater Darwin, what tree does the Tawny Frogmouth like to sit in? Answers at the end
Fig 6. Tawny Frogmouth
Favourite food: insects
5.0 Plants and Wildlife
Images from Lee Point in February 2026.
Fig 7. Sundew (Drosera spp)
Favourite food: insects
Fig 8. Iridescent Flutterer Dragonfly
Favourite food: insects
Fig 9. Northern Fantail
Favourite food: insects
Fig 10. Australian Hobby – photo by Tobias
Favourite food: small birds
Fig 11. Migratory Shorebirds at Lee Point beach Feb 2026
Favourite food: invertebrates (fuel for their long-distance flights)
Migratory shorebirds leave Lee Point in Mar/Apr for places like Siberia to breed and return in Aug/Sept. ABC Darwin explains why they are under threat.
Wilderness Walks
Wilderness Walks have been recording between 25-45 bird species, refer ebird for latest sightings. Please check Friends of Lee Point Facebook for walk times.
All the best for the Wet Season
Answers to Quiz: Darwin Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta)
Fig 12. Tawny Frogmouths in a Darwin Stringybark – Lee Point.
There are two Tawny Frogmouths here. They are masters of camoflage and sit in trees that look like them.
Approximately 60% of the old-growth trees on the Lee Point peninsula are Darwin Stringybarks.