Defence Housing Australia (DHA) has revised the Lee Point Masterplan to increase conservation, open space and recreation areas, and to respond to feedback from Larrakia people.
The new Masterplan responds to community feedback and strengthens the environmental and community outcomes planned for the 132-hectare site.
The area of the site to be retained for biodiversity conservation will increase to more than one-third of the site area, with half of the Lee Point site now reserved for conservation and community uses.
Under the new Masterplan recreation space at Lee Point will be doubled. Following discussions with the Northern Territory Government, DHA will construct two AFL size football fields. These new sporting facilities will include high quality playing surfaces for play all year round and DHA will install flood lights to extend the useability of this important community asset.
Planned connections between homes, parkland and the beach have been improved.
These changes build on DHA’s environmental commitments at Lee Point, including working with the NT government to secure additional conservation land east of Muirhead North. This would total more than 70 hectares of conservation land under management for the Black-footed Tree-rat at Lee Point. In a location close to Litchfield National Park, DHA has secured 500 hectares to support Gouldian Finch habitat and conservation.
A recent audit by the National Environmental Protection Agency confirmed the project is compliant with environmental conditions of approval.
In another significant step towards preparing the site for future housing, DHA has today released a Request for Tender (RFT) through AusTender for civil and landscape works within the development’s Muirhead North stage.
The RFT scope will see works for roads, drainage and electrical infrastructure delivered, as well as parks and reserves, supporting future residential development on the east side of Lee Point Road.
The RFT is seeking submissions by suitably qualified contractors, with assessment criteria weighted towards local businesses and majority-owned Indigenous businesses.
The RFT follows the release last week of a Request for Proposals to support rehabilitation and civil improvements within and around the Casuarina Coastal Reserve. Together, the two activities will support environmental rehabilitation, future community access and the staged delivery of the Lee Point development.
All contractor queries related to these procurement processes should be directed through the details on AusTender.
Quotes attributable to DHA Managing Director Andrew Jaggers PSM
“The updated Masterplan responds to the feedback we have received and strengthens the environmental and community outcomes planned for Lee Point.
“More than one-third of the site will be retained for biodiversity conservation, with conservation areas, open space and community use taking up half of the Lee Point site.
“The updated Masterplan includes the construction of two AFL sized all weather football fields with lighting to provide a significant uplift in sporting facilities for Darwin.
“The new Masterplan highlights culturally important tree species and improves connections between future homes, parkland and the beach. Importantly the Masterplan removes all but three of the previously proposed large bush blocks and includes a redesign of the village centre.
“We remain committed to delivering much-needed housing for Darwin and Australian Defence Force families, while protecting important environmental and cultural values.
“The release of the civil and landscape works tender for Muirhead North is an important step in progressing the development and preparing the site for future housing and community amenity.
“Together with the Casuarina Coastal Reserve rehabilitation proposal recently released, this work demonstrates DHA’s commitment to delivering environmental, cultural, housing and community outcomes at Lee Point.
Further information
DHA’s Lee Point development comprises two development parcels in the suburb of Lee Point. The two lots are bisected by Lee Point Road. On the western side of Lee Point Road, is a former Department of Defence (Defence) installation that was operated by the ‘2 Control and Reporting Unit’ (referred to as the 2CRU site). On the east side of Lee Point Road is the parcel known as Muirhead North.
The project is forecast to create more than 800 new homes and at least 200 are to be provided for ADF members and their families.
The approved Lee Point project plans will allow for a range of community amenity over and above a mix of housing, including open space, community facilities and recreational connections, balanced with the conservation and rehabilitation measures.
DHA intends to provide opportunities for the community to learn and ask questions about the Masterplan changes in the coming weeks. More information will be shared once available.
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For media enquiries, please contact media@dha.gov.au