Greetings Friends, This monthly newsletter (No. 56) includes: City of Darwin election survey and forum, new sites needed, feral animals, quiz, plants and wildlife.
1.0 City of Darwin election – candidate survey and forum
Fig 1. Map of City of Darwin wards – sourced from City of Darwin
Lee Point candidate survey results – Call for an independent evaluation of other locations
Friends of Lee Point and PLan (Planning Action Network) have asked all the City of Darwin candidates;
“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.”
Results are at: City of Darwin election 2025 – Lee Point Candidate Survey results
Election Candidate Forum – 5pm Thursday 14 Aug at Bagot – Mage Oval
Come and hear what (11) candidates think about issues affecting Darwin. BYO chair. Details at – COD Election Forum
2.0 New site needed for Lee Point defence and community housing project
Draft Report on new sites. In late July 2025, (8) Darwin groups sent a draft report to the Australian Government. It was titled – Preliminary evaluation of three Darwin sites for defence and community housing – refer Draft Report. The report is to help government consider alternative sites.
Fig 2. Map of some potential housing sites.
Darwin has a housing affordability crisis. To have affordable housing you need affordable lots. DHA building high-cost lots at Lee Point ($310k plus) away from public transport is not what Darwin needs.
The impact on the natural and cultural heritage of Lee Point/Binybara is unacceptable. A new site(s) must be found for the Lee Point defence and community housing project.
Relocating and rescoping the Lee Point defence housing project highlights the problems with housing people at Lee Point and the benefits of relocating the project.
Please sign this PETITION
or
Send an email to government – via Government Contacts
3.0 Feral animals
Feral pigs can cause significant damage to wetland vegetation in pursuit of roots and tubers.
Fig 3. Feral Pigs east of Lee Point Dam – 1 Aug 2025.
City of Darwin has been encouraging people to use the (free) feralSCAN APP or website to record sightings of stray cats and feral animals.
4.0 Quiz
How many birds are here and what are their names?
Fig 4. Fishing in the mangroves.
5.0 Plants and Wildlife
Stringybarks started flowering late July and have been attracting insects and birds. Approx 60% of the old-growth trees on the Lee Point peninsula are Stringybarks.
Fig 5. Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetradonta) with Bar-breasted Honeyeater
Eucalyptus tetradonta comes from Greek and relates to the gum nuts. Eucalyptus is well capped (flowers), tetra is four and donta is teeth.
Fig 6. Paper Wasp
Fig 7. Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Finches with a Crimson Finch
Fig 8. Black-shouldered Kite – photo by Tobias Aakesson
Wilderness Walks
A rare Gouldian Finch plus 33 other birds were seen on the Wilderness Walk – Sunday 10 August much to the delight of everyone on the walk. The walk was led by Mitch and included 11 people – (2) France, (5) interstate and (4) Territorians.
Fig 9. Wilderness Walk group
Fig 10. Gouldian Finch seen on the walk
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 dry season
Answers to Quiz
There are two Nankeen-night Herons and one Black Cormorant.
Their favourite food is fish.