Save the Daly

Despite an ongoing prosecution, the owners of Claravale Farm have applied to bulldoze more savanna woodland near the banks of the Daly River.

While we welcomed the prosecution, it beggars belief that since being charged with illegal land clearing, the owners have made two separate applications to bulldoze a colossal 5,800 hectares of additional savanna woodland on the same property.

This savanna woodland has been cared for by Traditional Owners for generations and is important habitat for the threatened ghost bat species.

The impacts could be devastating for the Daly system, home to barramundi, pig-nosed turtles and the incredible endangered freshwater sawfish. Run-off of chemicals and sediment from agriculture could damage the river, and clearing trees in this precious area will destroy habitat for iconic threatened species like the Gouldian finch.

We’ve fought to save the Daly before, we can do it again!

To whom it may concern,
PA2024/0006 - Development - Submission to the delegated Consent Authority - Application to clear 1900 hectares at Claravale Farm.
PL2023/0014 - Pastoral Land Clearing - Submission on clearing of 3851.7ha of native vegetation for pastoral purposes (non-irrigated improved pasture for grazing and hay production)
I am writing to ask you to reject the two separate applications by Top End Pastoral Company to bulldoze 1900 hectares and 3851.7 hectares of native vegetation at Claravale Farm near the banks of the Daly River.
I am also writing to ask you to ensure that this project is referred for assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, due to its potential to significantly impact listed threatened species, including ghost bats.
The savanna woodland on this property, and the neighbouring Daly River, has been cared for by Traditional Owners for generations and is beloved by many people across the Northern Territory and beyond.
Like many people, I was shocked by footage on ABC’s 7.30 showing alleged unlawful clearing on this property on the banks of the Daly River, and was pleased at the news that the NT Government had decided to prosecute this matter. In my view, it is not appropriate for the owner to be permitted to clear additional savanna woodland on the same property while this prosecution is ongoing. Even without a prosecution on foot, it is in my view inappropriate to permit further agricultural development here because it could damage important environmental and cultural values in the area.
The latest application is particularly significant because it covers important ghost bat habitat. Ghost bats are a threatened species and the impacts of this proposed clearing should be assessed under Federal laws.
The impacts could also be devastating for the Daly River system, home to barramundi, pig-nosed turtles and the incredible endangered freshwater sawfish. Run-off of chemicals and sediment from agriculture could damage the river, and clearing trees in this precious area will destroy habitat for iconic threatened species like the Gouldian Finch.
I submit that this application must be rejected. The Daly River and the surrounding area is too important to sacrifice.