(Updated 10 April 2026)
Fig 1. Location of 4 sites; Defence Establishment Berrimah, Northcrest, Holtz and Lee Point.
1.0 Why locate the defence housing project at the Defence Establishment Berrimah (DEB) site?
The Defence Housing Australia (DHA) current housing project aims to develop 800 lots, with 200 lots being retained for housing defence personnel. To date, approx 100 lots have been completed at Lee Point.
The Lee Point site is unsuitable for a wide range of reasons, and the DEB site presents itself as the far superior and preferred site.
Fig 2. Defence Establishment Berrimah (DEB) site map
The DEB site is owned by defence and is near infrastructure, services, public transport and defence bases. A summary of the Draft Report for 4 Darwin sites is below. It shows why DEB is considered the preferred site:
Fig 3. This table compares (4) sites (refer Fig 1 for location) for defence and community housing.
Notes:
The Kowandi defence estate site at Greater Holtz is to be sold and may be a comparable site option to the DEB site (for 90 ha of housing). The Draft Report for 4 Darwin sites also provides the methodology used for the 4 site evaluations plus information on other sites.
An Area Plan is not available for the DEB site. It has been assumed (based on aerial photography) that 20% of the (123 ha) DEB site will be retained for conservation or other purposes.
2.0 How would DHA acquire the DEB site?
The two shareholder ministers for DHA, Ministers Matt Keogh and Katy Gallagher, could agree to swap sites.
Katy Gallagher is also Minister for Finance. The DEB site is to be sold by Dept of Finance as one of the (68) sites in the Defence Estate Audit.
Fig 4. This diagram shows how defence land is sold to private investors and how a land swap could take place.
Notes:
The Australian Government should hold the Lee Point site until a new Area Plan for Lee Point is completed by the (independent) NT Planning Commission, refer section 4.0. An Area Plan is also required for the DEB site.
3.0 Timing
Clearing works at Lee Point should cease immediately to avoid further damage to Darwin’s cultural and natural heritage. Essential site maintenance work ie. controlling Gamba Grass needs to continue.
A Senate inquiry into the Management of Defence Estate Assets is underway – submissions close 17 April 2026. The land swap should happen as soon as practical after the inquiry is completed.
DHA would continue to house defence personnel at Northcrest and other sites while the Area Plans for DEB and Lee Point are being completed.
4.0 Support for the Lee Point moratorium and land swap
The Lee Point housing project has been troubled by years of controversy and delay. Protests and legal challenges are ongoing with the Darwin community opposed to housing thousands of people at Lee Point. This deeply unpopular project has impacted on people’s confidence in the future of Darwin.
Numerous calls have been made on the NT Government, these include:
- October 2021 – City of Darwin call to place an immediate moratorium on the current Lee Point housing project until the NT Planning Commission completes a new Area Plan for Lee Point
- October 2022 – a petition signed by ~4,500 people to place an immediate moratorium on the current Lee Point housing project until the NT Planning Commission completes a new Area Plan for Lee Point
- July 2023 – open letter by 300 scientists to halt Lee Point works and engage with Larrakia Traditional owners
- September 2023 – a signed recommendation by 220 delegates from the Society of Ecological Restoration (SER) conference to find an alternative location
- March 2026 – a petition signed by ~1200 people urging City of Darwin not to accept further subdivisions at Lee Point.
Note: refer to Planning for Lee Point for more information.
The March 2026 NT Government Nightcliff By-election saw 80% of the first preference votes go to candidates (included Territory Labor) that supported an immediate moratorium on the current Lee Point housing project until the NT Planning Commission completes a new Area Plan for Lee Point.
Protect Lee Point lists current campaigns, all of which want an immediate moratorium on clearing works at Lee Point.
Friends of Lee Point have received positive feedback on the Lee Point – DEB land swap proposal from the MLA’s, Larrakia people and community members approached so far. Consultations are continuing.
5.0 Recommendations
- An immediate moratorium is placed on clearing works, except for essential site maintenance work, at Lee Point by the Minister for Defence Personnel and Veteran Affairs, Matt Keogh MP.
- After completion of the Senate inquiry into the Management of Defence Estate Assets, DHA relinquishes the Lee Point site and is given the DEB site in Berrimah.
- The Lee Point site is held by the Australian Government until a new Area Plan for Lee Point is completed by the NT Planning Commission.