(updated 17 July 2026)
This POST contains information on Defence Housing Australia (DHA) July 2026 application to the NT Government to buy land at Lee Point.
Friends of Lee Point and PLan are opposed to the land sale for the reasons provided in their letter below.
Background
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) is applying for 39 hectares of Crown land east of Muirhead North to use as an “offset” for their Lee Point housing project – to counter loss of habitat for the endangered Black-footed Tree-rat (BFTR).
The DHA housing project (with proposed offsets) will clear half the old-growth trees (2020 tree numbers) from Lee Point, refer Fig 1.
Fig 1. Lee Point showing old growth trees (yellow pins), offsets (blue), DHA area to be cleared (orange).
Fig 2. Lee Point Crown land for “DHA offset” – sourced from NT News July 2026.
The 39 hectares of Crown land for the DHA offset is made up of Part Lot 9370, Lot 9369 and Section 4224.
Friends of Lee Point/PLan letter
(excerpt from the letter submitted to NT Government in July 2026)
RE: Objection to proposed Direct Sale of Lee Point crown land to DHA
Friends of Lee Point and Planning Action Network object to the proposed sale of 39 hectares of Crown land (Part Lot 9370, Lot 9369 and Section 4224) to Defence Housing Australia (DHA), for the purpose of a Black-footed Tree-rat (BFTR) offset.
Our objection is based on these concerns:
- Ecological considerations: Over the last 80 years, Lee Point has suffered a major decline of old-growth trees (REF 1) – BFTRs rely on old-growth trees. This project will clear half the old-growth trees from Lee Point.
- Offset Policy: Offsets should only be used as a last resort in accordance with the NT Government’s offset policy (REF 2). There are much better locations for this project that don’t involve clearing endangered species habitat.
- Past land management: Between unauthorized clearing (resulting in fines) and uncontrolled Gamba Grass, DHA has already demonstrated they cannot be trusted with the care of Lee Point land.
- Lack of transparency: A direct sale bypasses the public scrutiny necessary for significant land dealings. City of Darwin’s recent call for a Senate inquiry into the DHA Lee Point housing project was partly triggered by a lack of public scrutiny on land dealings – we support City of Darwin’s call.
- Poor urban planning: The proposed sale of the Lee Point crown land promotes a project that is in the wrong place. The DHA Lee Point project needs to be relocated, (REF 3).
Given that the federal government has not yet confirmed the suitability of this site as an offset for the Black-footed Tree-rat plus above concerns, we strongly urge the Department to reject DHA’s application.
We look forward to your prompt response regarding this matter.
Please email your concerns to the NT Government
Send your concerns to the Executive Director of the Crown Land Estate, Department of Lands, Planning and Environment at: crownland.estate@nt.gov.au
Comments close: COB Friday, 17 July 2026