Greetings,
This monthly newsletter (No. 72) includes: a Larrakia Lee Pt event, Chan by-election, times have changed, Senate and submissions, quiz and plants-fungi-wildlife.
1.0 Larrakia Truth – Telling and Weaving
Over 100 people enjoyed listening to a Larrakia presentation, learning traditional weaving and socialising at Lee Point.
Fig 1. Stephanie Williams and Lorraine Wiliams (on right) spoke about the importance of protecting Lee Point/Binybara for future generations.
Fig 2. Weaving materials and an unfinished work.
Fig 3. One of the banners painted during the event.
Larrakia and ECNT organised the event – held 9.30-1200 Sunday 14 June 2026.
2.0 Times have changed
A question sometimes asked is; “No one complained about building houses at Nightcliff, why are you complaining about building houses at Lee Point?”.
The short answer is; times have changed.
Nightcliff was built in the 50’s and 60’s, before:
- Darwin’s housing affordability crisis – this started in mid-2010s
- Debt problems – this started in the 1980’s for the Australian Government and the NT Government mid-2010s
- Extinction crisis – this started in the Top End for small to medium mammals in the 1990s.
The Lee Point housing project produces no affordable housing, increases debt and clears endangered species habitat …read more.
Fig 4. Location map
Build at Berrimah- The sale of the Defence Establishment Berrimah (DEB) or Kowandi North site (near Holtze) offers a unique opportunity to rectify the problems with the Lee Point housing project, refer Build at Berrimah not Lee Point.
The time for Labor to act is now – Territory Labor recently supported a moratorium and a new Area Plan for Lee Point by the NT Planning Commission. Send a Letter to Ed Smelt MLA.
Chan Ward by-election results – Clarence CJ MCCARTHY-GROGAN was elected for the City of Darwin – Chan Ward on 12 June with 53% of the vote, ahead of Nick KIRLEW with 47%.
Fig 5. The CHAN Ward covers the NT Government electorate seat of Nightcliff and a good portion of the Fannie Bay and Johnston electorate.
Approx 78% of the primary vote went to candidates who responded YES to a moratorium at Lee Point. None of the eight candidates said NO to the Save Lee Point questions…read more
3.0 Senate and submissions
Senate Inquiry – City of Darwin has sent a letter to Federal Ministers requesting a Senate inquiry into the Lee Point housing project …read more.
Sign the SENATE PETITION to help make this happen.
Affordable rentals – The NT Planning Minister, Minister Burgoyne, was questioned by Ed Smelt MLA at the June 15 Estimates hearings on the Lee Point housing project. Minister Burgoyne said “…we need more housing to enable supply so there are more affordable rentals. Increasing supply will achieve that.”, refer Hansard 15 June 2026, page 82-85.
Affordable rentals do not come from increasing the supply of expensive lots. Lee Point lots start at $300k and houses at $800k, refer alternative sites.
CCR National Park rezoning – Minister Burgoyne has approved the rezoning of a small part of the CCR National Park from Conservation to Organised Recreation. None of the (11) submissions received supported the rezoning, read FLP submission.
2CRU Erosion works application – FLP did not support the DHA Application PA2026/0187 for erosion work at 2CRU. The detention basin area should be rezoned to conservation and the Application lacked detail on the detention basin work … read FLP submission. Submissions closed 19 June.
Fig 6. Kirsty Howey (ECNT) with Tibby Quall (Larrakia traditional owner) – Sept 2022.
Kirsty Howey is leaving ECNT – FLP are very grateful for the great support and leadership Dr Kirsty Howey (and her team) provided to the Save Lee Point campaign over the last six years. Kirsty will be sorely missed…read more
4.0 Quiz
Which one is the male? Answer at the end.
Fig 7. Black-necked Storks at Lee Point – June 2026
5.0 Plants-fungi-wildlife
Images from Lee Point June 2026.
Fig 8. Woolly Frogmouth Waterlily
Fig 9. Red-flowering Kurrajong
Fig 10. Fruit body – fungi with pores.
Favourite food: Dead organic matter
Wildlife – invertebrates – moths and butterflies
Favourite food (adult): Nectar
Butterflies evolved from nocturnal moths approx. 100 million years ago and can be categorised as day-flying moths. They differ from moths in that they have a club on the end of their antenna, for more differences, refer Australian Museum.
Fig 11. Concealer Moth (Oecophoridae spp )
The caterpillar of this moth tends to hide in rolled up leaves or stems.
Fig 12. Dart Butterfly (Taractrocera ssp) on Woolly Frogmouth Waterlily
Fig 13. Evening Brown Butterfly (Melanitis spp )
Fig 14. Varied Eggfly Butterfly (Hypolimnas spp )
Wilderness Walks – have been recording between 25-45 bird species, refer ebird for latest sightings. Please check Friends of Lee Point Facebook for walk times.
Enjoy the dry season
Answer to Quiz