Why Darwin Needs an Area Plan for Lee Point before a DHA masterplan
The debate over the Lee Point housing project isn’t just about a single masterplan—it’s about how planning should be done in Darwin for one of our most important natural assets.
Here is why community members, scientists, and local leaders are calling for a major rethink on the Lee Point housing project.
1. Stop Clearing, Start Planning First
Before any revised developer masterplans are pushed forward, land clearing in Lee Point peninsula (part of Darwin’s last wildlife corridor) – needs to stop. A comprehensive, independent Area Plan should come first to reflect what the community actually needs long-term. Without it, detailed masterplans have little value in planning the future of Lee Point.
2. Fix a Flawed Planning Process
The current Area Plan allowing housing on the Lee Point peninsula was originally created back in 2014/15 by the developer (DHA)—a clear conflict of interest that resulted in inadequate community consultation. Planning for Lee Point needs to be improved:
- Over 500 scientists, local Larrakia First Nations people, and thousands of community members have asked for the housing to be moved elsewhere.
- City of Darwin previously called for a moratorium until an independent NT Planning Commission Area Plan could be completed.
- The March 2026 NT Government Nightcliff By-election saw 80% of the first preference votes go to candidates that supported a moratorium until an independent NT Planning Commission Area Plan could be completed.
3. Much Better Alternatives Exist
Fig 1. Robertson Barracks is Darwin’s main defence base, Lee Point, Defence Establishment Berrimah and Kowandi North are owned by defence.
Lee Point is expensive to develop and the current DHA masterplan is focused heavily on building (600) high-cost lots for investors—this doesn’t help Darwin’s housing affordability crisis.
Instead, defence-owned sites like Defence Establishment Berrimah and Kowandi North offer superior, lower-cost alternatives that could actually deliver some of the affordable housing Darwin desperately needs while housing defence personnel.
Build at Berrimah not Lee Point explains how a land swap with Lee Point could occur.