Lee Point – call for an independent evaluation of other locations
Candidates in the City of Darwin election 2025 were asked by email:
“If elected, will you support council calling on the Australian Government for a moratorium on the current defence housing project at Lee Point until other locations are independently evaluated (by Public Works Committee or similar) for long-term public benefit.”
Candidates are listed in ballot order.
Mayor
Candidate | Response | Comment |
Kon VATSKALIS | YES | Already asked the previous federal Minister for the Environment for a review. |
Peter STYLES | NO RESPONSE | |
Andrew John ARTHUR | YES | I supported the council Lee Point motion in 2021 because it is important to protect our biodiversity and precious green spaces. |
Vicki BONSON | YES | I’ll be doing everything I can to STOP the deforestation of our beautiful Lee Point, it’s crucial to save for the fauna and flora and the wildlife that call it home. |
Leah POTTER | YES | |
Sylvia KLONARIS | YES | Darwin deserves thoughtful planning that protects our natural assets, respects community voices, and prioritises the wellbeing of future generations. I am committed to working with groups like yours to ensure that our city grows responsibly and with care. |
Robin LAWRENCE | NO RESPONSE | |
Sam WESTON | YES | |
Nicole BROWN | UNDECIDED | |
Julie FRASER | YES | I have been part of the community fighting to save Lee Point Binybara and will continue that fight. |
Amye UN | YES | I support this because it protects our heritage for future generations. |
Scarlet D’ARC | YES | |
Edwin JOSEPH | YES | I said that before the last election itself. I have attended rallies sometimes before and after the 2021 election and I donated my corflutes for this cause after the election. |
LYONS
Candidate | Response | Comment |
Mick PALMER | NO | |
Brett HAGAN | UNDECIDED | |
Vicki BONSON | YES | I’ll be doing everything I can to STOP the deforestation of our beautiful Lee Point, it’s crucial to save for the fauna and flora and the wildlife that call it home. |
Andrew LEE | YES | I have supported in last election and I am going to support this time too. |
Mark BARNES | YES | Preserving our coastal reserves for future generations should always remain a priority. Any development/s within such spaces should only ever compliment the surrounding area and ensure minimal impact. |
Sam WESTON | YES | |
Scarlet D’ARC | YES | |
Amye UN | YES | I support this because it protects our heritage for future generations. |
Nicole BROWN | UNDECIDED | |
Nick O’LOUGHIN | YES | Absolutely |
CHAN
Candidate | Response | Comment |
Ed SMELT | YES | Protecting Darwin’s remaining natural ecosystems like Lee Point is vital. These places are particularly important for our children to experience and to learn about our unique environment. It is our job and responsibility to shape the growth of our city while not destroying the things that we value most. |
Julie FRASER | YES | I have been part of the community fighting to save Lee Point Binybara and will continue that fight. |
Ellyane WALL | YES | |
Clarence CJ MCCARTHY-GROGAN | YES | I have serious concerns about the process that has been undertaken in terms of cultural assessments and environmental impact. I am also not convinced by the claims of genuinely affordable housing for local people in the proposed development. |
Peter PANQUEE | UNDECIDED | |
Manik GOWDA | NO RESPONSE | |
LENNY | YES | |
Gary STRACHAN | UNDECIDED |
RICHARDSON
Candidate | Response | Comment |
Edwin JOSEPH | YES | I said that before the last election itself. I have attended rallies sometimes before and after the 2021 election and I donated my corflutes for this cause after the election. |
Jimmy BOUHORIS | NO RESPONSE | |
Peter STYLES | NO RESPONSE | |
Andrew John ARTHUR | YES | I supported the council Lee Point motion in 2021 because it is important to protect our biodiversity and precious green spaces. |
Yulita VILLANUEVA | YES | In my response to the City of Darwin future development is a “NO” to the proposed development. Current housing crisis and caring for our Natural heritage is not ideal with this proposal. I agree to have the DHA project to be relocated to a more environmentally sustainable location. |
Shani CARSON | UNDECIDED | If elected, I am committed to being community-led — should any motion on this be raised at council, I will seek the views of the community I represent before voting. |
WATERS
Candidate | Response | Comment |
Mirella FEJO | YES | As a Larrakia Traditional Owner, I’m deeply concerned about the land clearing and it’s impact on habitat, climate and liability. Without Native Title rights, our voice is limited. If elected as Councillor I will advocate for independent site reviews and responsible planning that protect Country, community wellbeing and future generations. |
Robin LAWRENCE | NO RESPONSE | |
Sylvia KLONARIS | YES | Darwin deserves thoughtful planning that protects our natural assets, respects community voices, and prioritises the wellbeing of future generations. I am committed to working with groups like yours to ensure that our city grows responsibly and with care. |
Tejinder SINGH | YES | |
Manoli PAPATHOMAS | NO RESPONSE | |
Kim FARRAR | YES | I have already signed letters and petition to federal ministers and I have also supported the Lee Point events by way of sponsoring the coffee van, and will do that again if the opportunity arises. |
Otto KAINULAINEN | YES | |
Patrick RALPH | UNDECIDED | Places of natural and cultural heritage including Lee Point should be protected. I will assess any council action (letter or motion) on merit at the time, with broad consultation and proper consideration of alternatives. |
NOTE
All candidates were contacted and provided information on relocating and rescoping the Lee Point defence housing project.
Responses were: YES, NO, UNDECIDED or if no response was received in writing – NO RESPONSE. Comments were optional and limited to 50 words.
This survey was undertaken by Friends of Lee Point and PLan – Planning Action Network.