FRIENDS OF EAST POINT AND LUDMILLA CREEK 

MEDIA RELEASE 16 MARCH 2010 

Ludmilla Creek/Kulaluk Bay mangroves face death by a thousand cuts 

An important buffer zone protecting the mangroves of Ludmilla Creek/Kulaluk Bay is 
under attack as a result of the proposal by the Gwalwa Daraniki Association to 
rezone 2.5 hectares of land from Conservation to Light Industrial. 

The land, between the coast and the intersection of Dick Ward Drive and Totem 
Road, protects the mangroves to the west by acting as a buffer against development. 

The area is open woodland and remnant monsoon vine thicket. It contains at least 
70 species of native plants, including 25 individuals of the species cycas armtrongii, 
which is listed as vulnerable on the Northern Territory threatened species list. 

The application prepared by Planit Consulting on behalf of Gwalwa Daraniki 
Association claims the land does not merit its Conservation zoning. In support of this 
claim they say that the area is “vegetation predominately consisting of introduced 
species and invasive weeds. Very little of the site comprises native species”. 

This statement is inaccurate. Further, while there are about 23 species of weeds or 
introduced plants in the area, the weeds are present as the result of a breach of the 
lease granted to the Gwalwa Daraniki Association. Condition 4 of that lease requires 
Gwalwa Daraniki Association to keep the area “free of weeds”. 

Spokesman for Friends of East Point, Tony Young, said “It is astonishing that 
Gwalwa Daraniki Association can rely on its own breach of lease as a reason for 
seeking a rezoning”. 

The Friends of East Point and Ludmilla Creek say this important area, including the 
Ludmilla Creek mangroves and East Point, must be securely protected within a long 
term plan. Until this happens the area will remain at risk from unco-ordinated, ill 
considered and ad hoc proposals like this one. 

Submissions regarding this planning application close this Friday. 

Contact: 

Tony Young M. 0405117312.