Destruction of endangered bird habitat to resume at Binybara

Destruction of endangered bird habitat to resume at Binybara (Lee Point), Darwin

Remarkably, nearly one third of all Australian bird species have been recorded in the area.

DARWIN, March 29, 2024 – Defence Housing Australia (DHA) can resume habitat destruction at Binybara (Lee Point) in Darwin, after federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek yesterday rejected an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage application.  The area is an increasingly important habitat refuge for the endangered Gouldian Finch, one of Australia’s most beloved birds due to its vibrant, multi-coloured plumage and cultural significance.

Traditional Owners and the local community are now considering other options to seek protection for the site.

Binybara has the highest density of woodland trees in the Darwin region and acts as a biodiversity corridor by connecting coastal and mangrove systems of Casuarina Coastal Reserve to Buffalo Creek and Shoal Bay. Under DHA’s plans for the area, Binybara stands to lose 75 per cent of its large woodland trees, causing a significant loss of the Gouldian Finch’s feeding habitat. The woodlands also contain old growth, hollow-bearing eucalypts that provide essential breeding sites for many other birds. Remarkably, nearly one third of all Australian bird species have been recorded in the area.

Federal approval for the project, which was first granted in 2015, was amended in 2023 with minor variations to the approval following detection of Gouldian Finches at the site, despite determining that the project will have a significant impact on the birds. BirdLife Australia are critical of that response and say it is symptomatic of the failings of Australia’s nature laws, which are currently under review.

“If our nature laws were working as they should, this project would not proceed until a proper strategy for the protection and of these Gouldian Finches was complete,” said Erin Farley, Campaigns and Participation Program Leader at BirdLife Australia.

“Making minor variations and ploughing ahead with habitat destruction will not protect endangered species like the Gouldian Finch from extinction, let alone support their recovery.”

The issue has galvanized the Top End and national community and a strong local campaign is advocating for the protection of Binybara, led by Traditional Owners, local community, the Environment Centre NT, in collaboration with BirdLife Australia and Environmental Justice Australia (EJA).

BirdLife Australia Media Enquiries: Please contact Erin Farley on 0404864593 or media@birdlife.org.au.