Stop Lloyd Creek (Noonamah Ridge)

Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, Hon Joshua (Josh) Burgoyne, Andrew Mackay MLA for Goyder

LLoyd Creek Google Maps, indicative only
LLoyd Creek Google Maps, indicative only

There is a plan relating to rezone Lloyd Creek (ex Noonamah Ridge).

The Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment has accepted an application to amend the NT Planning Scheme 2020 made by Cunnington Rosse Town Planning and Consulting for exhibition.
The application seeks to amend Part 2 (Strategic Framework) of the NT Planning Scheme 2020 to include the Lloyd Creek Area Plan. Under the proposed Area Plan, the Lloyd Creek Rural Village would provide for construction of approximately 4,200 new dwellings over the course of 30 years and provide an orderly expansion of the rural subdivision pattern, clustered around two neighbourhood activity
centres.

The area is home to vulnerable flora and fauna, including the endangered black-footed tree rat. Residents said flooding from storm water during the wet season was another concern.

Over the last 35 years there have been several plans for Darwin's rural area. All of them have mapped-out village centres like Berry Springs, Humpty Doo and Howard Springs as areas of development, including Weddell, a large swathe of government land earmarked as the Top End's next city.

The Lloyd Creek proposal has been criticised for sitting outside the NT's long-standing strategic vision and lack of town water and access to electricity.
But there has been a considerable amount of planning for Weddell, which already has connections to mains water and power.

Earlier in May 2025 Gerry Wood asked: Why this blind obedience to this development? Why not an impartial examination of this development? Why not mention that this ‘village’ will have a population similar to Katherine, and have 1000 suburban blocks?

Why not remind readers that the last version of this development was not supported by the vast majority of local residents at meetings held at Elizabeth Valley and Acacia fire stations, and as shown in a survey.”

To: Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment, Hon Joshua (Josh) Burgoyne, Andrew Mackay MLA for Goyder
From: [Your Name]

Dear Minister,
I am deeply concerned that the Intrapac Property housing project at Lloyd Creek / Noonamah Ridge will irreversibly harm the rural area. Ecological experts, environmental organisations and the broader community want the housing located elsewhere.

The area affected provides sanctuary to threatened species such as the endangered or vulnerable Black-footed Tree Rat, Northern Quoil, Howard Springs Toadlet, Partidge Pidgeon and large blue tongue skinks. Numerous Flora and Fauna have been identified as being put at risk by this development. The draw down of water during the early stages is an unacceptable risk to surrounding bore holders.

Further this area is the headwaters of the Elizabeth River which is vital to the health of Darwin Harbour and recreational fishing industry amongst other valuable natural assets.

We live in a time of crisis that includes climate change, fauna extinction and housing affordability. Clearing the forest at Lloyd Creek / Noonamah for housing will add to this crisis.

While there are comprehensive area plans for surrounding areas which have been developed under the auspices of the relevant NT Government agencies, the rezoning of this land to Special Use hands away all planning processes to the proponent.

It appears there has been no community consultation by the proponents. A developer who is genuine in launching such a massive change is surely obliged to bring the community with them.

We the undersigned call for a moratorium on all area plan changes and any other development in the area until a comprehensive Area Plan for the whole of the area adjacent to Humpty Doo and surrounds including Lloyd Creek/Noonamah Ridge has been developed by an independent body such as the appropriate NTG agency.
Yours sincerely