Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Larrakia custodians divided over Darwin housing development
Defence Housing Australia is building homes and housing lots at Lee Point, in Darwin’s northern suburbs.
The plan includes 200 homes for defence personnel and 600 lots for private sale.
The project has faced protests and arrests over four years, and federal ministers are under growing pressure from cabinet colleagues to stop it.
Larrakia custodians disagree about the site: Helen Secretary says the areas being cleared contain no sacred sites and supports the development, while Lorraine Juwayning Williams says the whole area is sacred.
Secretary says Defence Housing Australia has consulted Larrakia people and is monitoring cultural heritage.
A tribunal order that paused clearing over concerns about Indigenous stone tools has been lifted.
The disagreement matters because the project involves both the need for more housing and claims about protecting culturally significant places; Defence Housing Australia says consultation will continue as work progresses.
Defence Housing Australia is building homes and private-sale housing lots at Lee Point in Darwin’s northern suburbs.
Larrakia custodians are divided over whether the development threatens culturally significant or sacred places.
Custodian Helen Secretary supports the project, saying there are no sacred sites in the area being cleared and that cultural heritage consultation is underway.
Custodian Lorraine Juwayning Williams opposes the development, saying the area is sacred and a women’s site.
The project has drawn protests and arrests, and a stop-work order over the removal of Indigenous stone tools has since been lifted.
- Who
- Defence Housing Australia is building the project. Larrakia custodians, including Helen Secretary and Lorraine Juwayning Williams, disagree over it.
- What
- The project includes 200 defence homes and 600 housing lots for private sale.
- When
- The development has faced protests over the past four years. The article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Lee Point, in Darwin’s northern suburbs.
- Why
- The project is intended to provide housing. Opponents say it would affect a sacred area, while supporters say development is needed and cultural heritage is being considered.
Helen Secretary and development supporters
Lorraine Juwayning Williams and development opponents
Cultural significance
Helen Secretary and development supporters
Secretary says there are no sacred sites in the area being cleared and that Larrakia people are working with Defence Housing Australia to protect culturally important places.
Lorraine Juwayning Williams and development opponents
Williams says the entire area is sacred and is a women’s site.
Development
Helen Secretary and development supporters
Secretary supports the project, saying Darwin needs more housing and development will happen.
Lorraine Juwayning Williams and development opponents
Williams opposes the project, saying she feels Larrakia people are being pushed into supporting development.
The Lee Point development has prompted protests and dozens of arrests.
Larrakia custodian Tibby Quall argued at the NTCAT tribunal that Indigenous stone tools should not have been removed during land clearing, forcing a pause in clearing for several months.
Defence Housing Australia said the stop-work order had been lifted.
ABC Australia published its report on the divisions over the development.
- Defence homes
- 200
- Private-sale housing lots
- 600
- Location
- Lee Point, Darwin’s northern suburbs
- Protests and arrests
- Protests over the past four years; dozens of arrests
- Stop-work pause
- Several months this year
- Stop-work order
- Lifted, according to Defence Housing Australia
What people are saying
Where Defence is doing the clearing, there are no sacred sites within that area of land, so don't use sacred sites to stop development.
This entire area is actually sacred to us, this area of land is a women's site, and I haven't even spoken about it to the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority, because even in giving that information, culturally, we're in conflict,
I'm for development, we need more housing. Darwin is a city now, we don't live in a time capsule and development is going to happen,
I feel really sad that Larrakia now, they're almost pushed into being pro-development.
Sources
Related news
John Carey calls for urgent briefing on court decision involving public housing
Victoria closes first suspected illicit tobacco shops outside major cities
Zempilas criticizes Cook over competing mega-projects
WA education minister and universities disagree over merger plan
Melbourne Lord Mayor discusses the city’s future with Bill de Blasio
Queensland court orders first murder retrial under double jeopardy laws
Pocock questions PM’s office edits to bipartisan AI committee letter
Northern Territory plans to allow 16-year-olds to buy pepper spray
Joyce says Frydenberg comeback could push conservatives toward One Nation
Queensland ombudsman drops call to close Wacol youth remand centre
Greens seek stronger digital safety laws, including right to sue tech firms
