Tanya Plibersek urged to save Gouldian finches from NT defence development

The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, is being urged to intervene to save a population of endangered Gouldian finches threatened by a defence development in the Northern Territory.

A campaign to halt the second phase of bulldozing has won backing from residents and citizen scientists after more than 100 of the colourful finches were spotted in bushland marked for imminent clearing.

Lee Point is home to hollow-bearing trees that provide nesting and breeding habitat for a range of species, and is also used by migratory birds. Gouldian finch sightings in the area were rare until 2019 when a handful of juvenile birds were observed.

Gouldian finches are native to northern Australia. Their numbers crashed in the 1990s and early 2000s due to changed fire regimes, cattle grazing and infection from air sac mites. The largest known population is found near Katherine.

As the birds recover, scientists believe they are returning to old habitat, including around Darwin.

In May, citizen scientists observed more than 100 finches at Lee Point and believe they are now breeding there.

Stephen Garnett, a professor of conservation at Charles Darwin University, said the value of Lee Point extended well beyond the finch population.

A spokesperson for Defence Housing Australia (DHA) said the agency took its environmental responsibilities seriously and had undertaken a robust assessment at Lee Point.