The land behind McDonalds and fronting Dick Ward Drive (off Fitzer Drive) is in imminent danger and could be lost forever, we urgently need your support.
Update: A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO SENT SUBMISSIONS TO THE HERITAGE COUNCIL SUPPORTING THE PERMINENT HERITAGE LISTING OF KULALUK. WE ARE NOW ALL WAITING FOR THE RIGHT RESULT.
URGENT!!! Your quick submissions now needed in support of the permanent heritage listing of the whole of Kulaluk, by 29 March 2016 or therabouts.
Submissions are to be individual, in your own words, with your name and address. Email to: heritagecouncil@nt.gov.au for the Chairman, Heritage Council.
Suggest supporting the Larrakia Nation’s nomination for heritage listing, on the basis of cultural and historical values, and Dr Metcalfe’s You tube description of the unique biodiversity of the land, including the mangroves, reflecting the Environmental and Scientific values, as listed in the Heritage Act Assessment criteria.
This land is significant to all Top End people. This lease is being poorly managed, neglected and exploited, even though most of it is zoned for Conservation. Heritage listing would bring it under proper control, preserve it, and ensure better management.
Without heritage protection, the land could, in a piecemeal way, disappear under ugly concrete developments, whilst the natural environment is displaced, and dies.
A better use is for a natural multifunction ECO/Cultural Centre employing Aboriginal Rangers to first rehabilitate it, and then present it and interpret it for visitors. Darwin is overdue for such a centre, so close to the CBD, and ready for visits from cruise ship passengers.
It might be useful here to add some individual ideas like building under the flightpath, a green corridor to Lee Point through the Airport as a wildlife refuge, recreational access to Ludmilla Bay, impact of traffic lights on Dick Ward Drive, etc.
KEY BACKGROUND INFORMATION IN PDF ATTACHMENTS BELOW, also at http://greenbeltdarwin.wordpress.com, on YouTube on this page, as well as at YouTube general under Kulaluk.
The total size is 301 hectares. Most of it is zoned CONSERVATION (CN) ie land not to be cleared because of its value, and to be preserved, including mangroves. However, polluting stockpiles have been permitted to lie dumped on it for years, in spots.
SD37 is the lot behind MacDonalds, targeted by AXIOM and JAPE for a leased regional shopping centre. This use, as described in the media, has not been approved by the Development Consent Authority (DCA).
SD44, cleared without notice, is also in danger of being leased for concrete constructions. RD means Restricted Development.
Both SD37 and RD are under the Flightpath for both civil and military aircraft. These fly low at take off and landing.
The Ritchie Report, of 2015, clearly establishes that the whole of the Kulaluk Lease, because of its heritage significance, should be added to the NT Heritage Register. It is original Larrakia land.
Please click on the PDF documents below to open:
Kulaluk David Ritchie Final Report to Heritage Council
NT Heritage Assessment Criteria from the Heritage Act
Environmental and mangroves expert Dr Kristin Metcalfe’s presentation at the public information meeting on the Heritage Values of Kulaluk.
Dr Metcalfe demonstrated the Environmental and Scientific values of Kulaluk, including its variety of vegetation types in a small area, its unique mangroves, its biodiversity, its seasonal refuge for world migratory shore birds and a wildlife refuge and corridor for our animals and birds under pressure. This should support the Heritage Listing.
Update:
There has been a dedicated campaign, particularly by the Darwin Greenbelt Group for four intensive weeks, running information stalls and displays at the Parap and Nighcliff weekend markets. There was Kulaluk natural environmental, cultural and historical information, and in other ways, much on-line information sharing. We were supporting the Larrakia Nation who are seeking the Heritage Listing.
On 19 March, 2016, there was a very well attended information, and impressive, meeting at the NT Museum. Experts made illustrated presentations on every aspect of Kulaluk. This included cultural,. historical and environmental aspects, and references to the detailed authoritative Ritchie Report of 2015.
Kulaluk was shown to be, not only unique in many ways, but certainly that it strongly meets criteria required under the Heritage Act. Kulaluk’s capacity to become an Eco/Cultural Centre, providing relevant employment for local Aboriginal people was very obvious.
It would make a fantastic tourist destination, a quick ride from Darwin CBD, for cruise ship seeking a memorable taste of Top End Aboriginal culture, without the long exhaustic journey to Kakadu.
We were later informed that, because of enormous community involvement , the Heritage Council received 225 submissions.
THE HERITAGE COUNCIL AFTER A SHORT TIME, RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY TO MINISTER DAVID TOLLNER THAT HE APPROVE THE HERITAGE LISTING OF KULALUK, ADDING IT TO THE NT HERITAGE REGISTER.
THE MINISTER HOWEVER REJECTED THEIR UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION. THIS IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE.
APPEALS CAN BE MADE TO THE SUPREME COURT AGAINST MINISER TOLLNER’S DECISION.