Defence Housing Australia in the Northern Territory has agreed to voluntarily stop works on an 800-home development at Binybara, or Lee point, until 31 March, 2024.
In a brief statement posted to their website, DHA say: “We will be using this time to work with relevant government agencies and respond to the application regarding Aboriginal Cultural Heritage at the site.”
It comes after Larrakia Traditional Owners lodged an emergency application under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Act for a declaration to protect the area on cultural grounds.
Binybara has deep cultural connections to Larrakia, with ceremony sites and ancient trees that are home to threatened species like the Gouldian Finch.
Works were initially paused in early July and extended until August 11, however, this latest stop work will last for at least 8-months.
