Latest news with #Gouldian
The Advertiser
17-06-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Land clearing for defence housing remains on hold
Further land-clearing work for defence housing at a sensitive Indigenous site is on hold following a ruling that a legal challenge must be resolved first. Eighteen hectares of land at Lee Point, north of Darwin, has already been cleared by Defence Housing Australia to make way for an 800-home development. The area - known as Binybara to its traditional owners - is home to endangered birds including the Gouldian finch and has heritage significance for the Larrakia people. Advocacy group Environmental Justice Australia said the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal had ruled site work cannot continue until a legal challenge from Larrakia Elder Tibby Quall was heard. "This significant decision provides vital interim protection for a place of great cultural and ecological importance to the Larrakia people," EJA said in a statement on Tuesday. EJA, the Environment Centre NT and Mr Quall allege the necessary plans and approvals had not been produced for the project under the NT Planning Act. Defence Housing voluntarily stopped work at Lee Point in August 2023 to allow a cultural heritage application to be assessed after members of the Larrakia nation described the area as culturally significant and asked that it be preserved. The application was rejected in March 2024, despite pleas to then federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek to act to protect threatened species in the area. But the EJA said the tribunal had found the NT Heritage Council's process of consultation was flawed because it failed to consult Mr Quall. It also found the council failed to consider its heritage significance. "An acknowledgement like this from the tribunal is really strong. Our culture and this case will remain, for our children in the future, their children, they will have something," Mr Quall said in a statement. EJA lawyer Kip Frawley said Mr Quall had been clear since he first objected to the development in 2017 that "this is Larrakia Country and the sacred sites and cultural objects on Larrakia Country belong to them, and to the land". The tribunal ruled Defence Housing must stop work at Lee Point until the tribunal's proceedings were finally determined. In May, Defence Housing was fined $18,780 for illegally clearing land at the site. The EJA said a community blockade of the site in 2023 drew national attention to the issue but risks to the land remained. "The injunction marks a critical moment, ensuring no further damage can occur while the tribunal matter proceeds." Defence Housing said in a statement to AAP it was considering the tribunal's decision. "The Lee Point development is a significant project not just for Defence families but for its contribution to the NT economy and its assistance in addressing Darwin's critical housing shortage." Defence Housing said out of the site's 132 hectares more than 33 hectares would be set aside for conservation purposes, while more than 22 hectares would transfer to the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security to expand the Casuarina Coastal Reserve. It said that following an archaeological survey, artefacts from the site were relocated with the participation of traditional owners and were now securely held by the Larrakia Development Corporation. Further land-clearing work for defence housing at a sensitive Indigenous site is on hold following a ruling that a legal challenge must be resolved first. Eighteen hectares of land at Lee Point, north of Darwin, has already been cleared by Defence Housing Australia to make way for an 800-home development. The area - known as Binybara to its traditional owners - is home to endangered birds including the Gouldian finch and has heritage significance for the Larrakia people. Advocacy group Environmental Justice Australia said the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal had ruled site work cannot continue until a legal challenge from Larrakia Elder Tibby Quall was heard. "This significant decision provides vital interim protection for a place of great cultural and ecological importance to the Larrakia people," EJA said in a statement on Tuesday. EJA, the Environment Centre NT and Mr Quall allege the necessary plans and approvals had not been produced for the project under the NT Planning Act. Defence Housing voluntarily stopped work at Lee Point in August 2023 to allow a cultural heritage application to be assessed after members of the Larrakia nation described the area as culturally significant and asked that it be preserved. The application was rejected in March 2024, despite pleas to then federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek to act to protect threatened species in the area. But the EJA said the tribunal had found the NT Heritage Council's process of consultation was flawed because it failed to consult Mr Quall. It also found the council failed to consider its heritage significance. "An acknowledgement like this from the tribunal is really strong. Our culture and this case will remain, for our children in the future, their children, they will have something," Mr Quall said in a statement. EJA lawyer Kip Frawley said Mr Quall had been clear since he first objected to the development in 2017 that "this is Larrakia Country and the sacred sites and cultural objects on Larrakia Country belong to them, and to the land". The tribunal ruled Defence Housing must stop work at Lee Point until the tribunal's proceedings were finally determined. In May, Defence Housing was fined $18,780 for illegally clearing land at the site. The EJA said a community blockade of the site in 2023 drew national attention to the issue but risks to the land remained. "The injunction marks a critical moment, ensuring no further damage can occur while the tribunal matter proceeds." Defence Housing said in a statement to AAP it was considering the tribunal's decision. "The Lee Point development is a significant project not just for Defence families but for its contribution to the NT economy and its assistance in addressing Darwin's critical housing shortage." Defence Housing said out of the site's 132 hectares more than 33 hectares would be set aside for conservation purposes, while more than 22 hectares would transfer to the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security to expand the Casuarina Coastal Reserve. It said that following an archaeological survey, artefacts from the site were relocated with the participation of traditional owners and were now securely held by the Larrakia Development Corporation. Further land-clearing work for defence housing at a sensitive Indigenous site is on hold following a ruling that a legal challenge must be resolved first. Eighteen hectares of land at Lee Point, north of Darwin, has already been cleared by Defence Housing Australia to make way for an 800-home development. The area - known as Binybara to its traditional owners - is home to endangered birds including the Gouldian finch and has heritage significance for the Larrakia people. Advocacy group Environmental Justice Australia said the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal had ruled site work cannot continue until a legal challenge from Larrakia Elder Tibby Quall was heard. "This significant decision provides vital interim protection for a place of great cultural and ecological importance to the Larrakia people," EJA said in a statement on Tuesday. EJA, the Environment Centre NT and Mr Quall allege the necessary plans and approvals had not been produced for the project under the NT Planning Act. Defence Housing voluntarily stopped work at Lee Point in August 2023 to allow a cultural heritage application to be assessed after members of the Larrakia nation described the area as culturally significant and asked that it be preserved. The application was rejected in March 2024, despite pleas to then federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek to act to protect threatened species in the area. But the EJA said the tribunal had found the NT Heritage Council's process of consultation was flawed because it failed to consult Mr Quall. It also found the council failed to consider its heritage significance. "An acknowledgement like this from the tribunal is really strong. Our culture and this case will remain, for our children in the future, their children, they will have something," Mr Quall said in a statement. EJA lawyer Kip Frawley said Mr Quall had been clear since he first objected to the development in 2017 that "this is Larrakia Country and the sacred sites and cultural objects on Larrakia Country belong to them, and to the land". The tribunal ruled Defence Housing must stop work at Lee Point until the tribunal's proceedings were finally determined. In May, Defence Housing was fined $18,780 for illegally clearing land at the site. The EJA said a community blockade of the site in 2023 drew national attention to the issue but risks to the land remained. "The injunction marks a critical moment, ensuring no further damage can occur while the tribunal matter proceeds." Defence Housing said in a statement to AAP it was considering the tribunal's decision. "The Lee Point development is a significant project not just for Defence families but for its contribution to the NT economy and its assistance in addressing Darwin's critical housing shortage." Defence Housing said out of the site's 132 hectares more than 33 hectares would be set aside for conservation purposes, while more than 22 hectares would transfer to the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security to expand the Casuarina Coastal Reserve. It said that following an archaeological survey, artefacts from the site were relocated with the participation of traditional owners and were now securely held by the Larrakia Development Corporation. Further land-clearing work for defence housing at a sensitive Indigenous site is on hold following a ruling that a legal challenge must be resolved first. Eighteen hectares of land at Lee Point, north of Darwin, has already been cleared by Defence Housing Australia to make way for an 800-home development. The area - known as Binybara to its traditional owners - is home to endangered birds including the Gouldian finch and has heritage significance for the Larrakia people. Advocacy group Environmental Justice Australia said the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal had ruled site work cannot continue until a legal challenge from Larrakia Elder Tibby Quall was heard. "This significant decision provides vital interim protection for a place of great cultural and ecological importance to the Larrakia people," EJA said in a statement on Tuesday. EJA, the Environment Centre NT and Mr Quall allege the necessary plans and approvals had not been produced for the project under the NT Planning Act. Defence Housing voluntarily stopped work at Lee Point in August 2023 to allow a cultural heritage application to be assessed after members of the Larrakia nation described the area as culturally significant and asked that it be preserved. The application was rejected in March 2024, despite pleas to then federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek to act to protect threatened species in the area. But the EJA said the tribunal had found the NT Heritage Council's process of consultation was flawed because it failed to consult Mr Quall. It also found the council failed to consider its heritage significance. "An acknowledgement like this from the tribunal is really strong. Our culture and this case will remain, for our children in the future, their children, they will have something," Mr Quall said in a statement. EJA lawyer Kip Frawley said Mr Quall had been clear since he first objected to the development in 2017 that "this is Larrakia Country and the sacred sites and cultural objects on Larrakia Country belong to them, and to the land". The tribunal ruled Defence Housing must stop work at Lee Point until the tribunal's proceedings were finally determined. In May, Defence Housing was fined $18,780 for illegally clearing land at the site. The EJA said a community blockade of the site in 2023 drew national attention to the issue but risks to the land remained. "The injunction marks a critical moment, ensuring no further damage can occur while the tribunal matter proceeds." Defence Housing said in a statement to AAP it was considering the tribunal's decision. "The Lee Point development is a significant project not just for Defence families but for its contribution to the NT economy and its assistance in addressing Darwin's critical housing shortage." Defence Housing said out of the site's 132 hectares more than 33 hectares would be set aside for conservation purposes, while more than 22 hectares would transfer to the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security to expand the Casuarina Coastal Reserve. It said that following an archaeological survey, artefacts from the site were relocated with the participation of traditional owners and were now securely held by the Larrakia Development Corporation.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Incredible photos after Aussie man 'untangles' huge python from backyard prey
A remote Aussie fisherman and snake handler has shared incredible images of a large Olive python after it was found inside a friend's chicken coop, describing the mad dash to save the backyard bird and "untangle" the two-metre snake from its prey. Western Australian man Rodney Fischer lives in the remote region of East Kimberley and was called to his friend's house when she noticed the intruder amongst her hens. "She rang up about 7.30 at night and said, 'A snake's got me chook'," he recalled to Yahoo News on Sunday. About five minutes away, Rodney raced to the scene to find the snake wrapped around the bird. The pythons are non venomous but instead constrict their prey, with Rodney explaining it would happily gorge on a chicken. "They'll swallow a chicken, especially a snake that size, it was around two metres long, so no problem for a python that big," he said. The python was still wrapped around the chicken when he arrived on the property, "and the chicken was still alive". "So I untangled it and got the snake off ... took it home and went and released it the next day," he told Yahoo. 🏊🏼♂️ Swimmers flee as deadly snake swims through pool at tourist spot 🐍 Sad detail in incredible snake photo shows 'illegal' act 🦅 Aussie farmer rocked by 'very unusual' discovery under tree As for the chook, it managed to pull through the ordeal and live to fight another day. "My friend sent me a picture of the chook and it survived," he added. The homeowner had lost chickens to snakes before, which can often get into the enclosure but become stuck and unable to get back out once they have a large chicken in their belly. The avid photographer and videographer travels throughout the Kimberly in the north of WA, usually with his dingo Bob, taking photos of the region's unique nature – capturing everything from huge crocs to the threatened Gouldian finch. The Olive python is endemic to Australia and only found in the very northern parts of the country, with Rodney saying it's one of the most common species he happens to come across. Earlier this year a cattle farmer in the Northern Territory described the "horribly amazing" discovery that a two-metre Olive python had eaten her shirt and bra before later regurgitating them up again in her laundry. "It was quite slimy and certainly needed a very good soak, but it all came back out in one piece," she told the ABC in February. According to experts, the snakes can be attracted to items that smell like potential food, such as those worn by people who work with animals. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
