Fig 1. Excavator shifting bulldozed timber in Stage 2 on the 14 Aug.
Fig 2. DHA started mulching the Stage 2 timber on the 16 Aug.
Cultural concerns and NTCAT. To be disturbing the site when there are cultural concerns over the site is disrespectful. NTCAT ruled that work (except essential maintenance work) at the site should halt until the traditional owners concerns are heard in court – read more.
Community concerns for wildlife and regenerated woodland.
Fig 3. Save Lee Point protesters at the main gate to 2CRU – Sun 17 Aug
The wood piles (bulldozed in June 2024) would have contained animals. No fauna spotters were seen by Friends of Lee Point where work was being carried out on the woodpiles.
The area around the woodpiles was successfully regenerating as a savanna woodland until the recent site clearing works.
Firebreaks
Fig 3. Aerial photo of new firebreaks cleared around woodpiles late June 2025 – Lyons is top of page.
Fig 4. A 50m wide cleared corridor with mulched timber on Stage 2.
DHA has created ~15m “firebreaks” around woodpiles and then mulched timber using heavy machinery to supposedly meet essential maintenance requirements of the NT Fire Services.
The most important firebreak in 2CRU is the ~5m wide firebreak adjacent to the Lyons fence – see below.
Fig 5. Lyons firebreak – Aug 2025
The only essential maintenance work recorded in 2CRU – Stage 2 to protect peoples property and safety was the trimmed grass next to Lyons fence (to reduce the fire hazard).
Gamba Grass control
Fig 6. Gamba Grass on Stage 2 – June 2024
Fig 7. Gamba Grass on Stage 2 – Aug 2025.
The above photos, from Lee Point road looking west, show a substantial increase in Gamba Grass from June 2024 to August 2025.
Gamba Grass on DHA land has been a significant and ongoing fire risk for years and is at odds the NT Fire Services guidelines.
Summary
DHA is continuing site works on Stage 2 under the guise of meeting the requirements of NT Fire Services.
Having heavy machinery disturb the site by clearing a ~15m corridor around the stockpiled timber and mulching timber disrespects the;
- traditional owner’s cultural concerns for the site
- NTCAT stop work order (for non-essential maintenance work)
- community concerns for wildlife and recently regenerated savanna woodland, and
- does little to protect people, wildlife or property from fire.