Greetings Friends,
This monthly newsletter (No. 51) includes, Federal election, Australia’s nature crisis, Art and nature, quiz, plants and wildlife.
1.0 Federal election 2025
Cost of living and housing affordability are pressing concerns in Darwin and both could be helped by relocating and rescoping the Lee Point defence housing project. However, an independent evaluation needs to happen first to select the best location(s).
FLP and PLan asked all candidates running for Solomon and the NT Senate:
“If elected, will you support a moratorium on the current DHA housing project at Lee Point until other locations are independently evaluated (by Public Works Committee or similar) for long-term public benefit.”
Read their responses at: NT Federal Candidate Survey 2025 (link to be provided).
Wilderness Walks with Solomon candidates
FLP have an open invitation to all candidates to go on a Wilderness Walk at a time of their choosing. Phil Scott (Independent candidate) and Jonathan Parry (Greens candidate) recently took up the offer.
Fig 1. Phil Scott (left) 30 March and Jonathan Parry (right) 14 April 2025.
More photos at: Phil Scott Wilderness Walk and Jonathan Parry Wilderness Walk.
2.0 Australia’s nature crisis
Australia is facing a nature crisis and deforestation is one of the key drivers.
In 2022, Australia committed at a UN conference, along with nearly all the countries in the world, to conserve at least 30 per cent of our lands and oceans by 2030 – referred to as 30 by 30.
In 2024, (26) eminent Australian scientists called on government to fund the 30 by 30 commitment. An additional $250M was included in the March 2025 federal budget to help conserve 30% of land (bushland) by 2030.
Hundreds of scientists that visited Darwin believe the defence housing project at Lee Point should be located elsewhere, refer open letter and recommendation in 2023.
Fig 2. Lee Point has important old-growth forest for Darwin wildlife.
Endangered Shorebirds – Ornithologist Dr Amanda Lilleyman talks about the threats endangered migratory shorebirds face at Lee Point and Middle Arm from development in this recent Shorebird video
You can help save Darwin’s shorebirds by sending a letter to each Solomon candidate through this link
Fig 3. Map showing other housing locations.
Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Developments can generally go elsewhere, endangered species cannot.
3.0 Art and nature
Lee Point/Binybara Camp 27 Apr – Welcome the Dry Season, an evening of food, music and community – 5pm Sunday, Osprey Tower, Lee Point. Should be fun, check Facebook for further details.
Paintathlon 5 Apr – FLP held a fun paintathlon on Saturday 5 April at the Darwin Community Arts centre, Travers St Coconut Grove.
Fig 4. Paintathlon.
Some of the signs from the Paintathlon ended up at the Rush Hour Wave, held 7.30am, 15 April outside Justine Davies office in Millner.
Fig 5. People at the Rush Hour Wave, 15 April.
To date, the major parties have failed Lee Point/Binybara:
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- 2015 – CLP approved the Lee Point Area Plan. This plan that was created by the developer (DHA) to allow the development to proceed – a clear conflict of interest.
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- 2016 to present – Labor has permitted the defence housing project to proceed at Lee Point without any sound evaluation of its public benefits. No reports are available that justify having this project at Lee Point.
An independent evaluation is urgently needed that looks at other locations – refer relocating and rescoping the Lee Point defence housing project.
CCR BioBlitz – Friends of Casuarina Coastal Reserve organised the inaugural BioBlitz for Casuarina Coastal Reserve (CCR) on 28-30 March 2025 – read more
Fig 6. BioBlitz launch at the Darwin Surf Life Saving Club, Saturday morning, 29 March.
Birdwatching – ABC ran this story: Birdwatching keeps citizen scientists happy and healthy.
Lee Point/BInybara Art – Ellyane Wall is holding a solo exhibition entitled “Binybara Bear Witness” at Untitled Gallery – 85 Dick Ward Drive, Coconut Grove from 4-26 April.
4.0 Quiz
Q1. The heaviest shorebird in the world can sometimes be seen on the Lee Point beaches. What is its name?
Fig 7. Two adults and a juvenile near Sandy Creek.
5.0 Plants and Wildlife
Fig 8. Varied Lorikeets near the Lee Point Dam.
Favourite food: nectar and pollen
Fig 9. Blue Argus on a daisy flower.
Favourite food: nectar
Fig 10. Adult Hoverfly on a daisy flower.
Favourite food: nectar and pollen
Fig 11. Orb spider at Lee Point dam
Favourite food: insects.
Orb spiders have venom which they use to subdue insects. They are generally considered harmless to humans.
Fig 12. Fungi fruit on a log
Favourite food: dead organisms (fungi can recycle most things)
Wilderness Walks
Wilderness Walks record between 25 to 50 bird species(depends on time of year), refer ebird for latest sightings. Please check Friends of Lee Point Facebook for times.
Enjoy the last of the wet season
Answers to Quiz