Darwin Harbour rivals Ningaloo Reef in marine biodiversity, according to a new scientific report commissioned by the NT Environment Centre, which warns the harbour is at risk of permanent damage from the planned Middle Arm gas and petrochemical hub following the Finocchiaro Government’s announcement it will use the Territory Coordinator Act to override environmental protection laws for industrial developments adjoining the water.
The report, Darwin Harbour: A Marine National Treasure, found the harbour is one of the most ecologically significant mangrove estuarine systems in the Indo-Pacific, supporting hundreds of species found almost nowhere else on earth.
The Oceanwise-led report found Darwin Harbour contains 36 of the world’s mangrove species – about 55 per cent of all those found across the Indo-Pacific – and around 529 species of fish, a figure approaching that recorded in Western Australia’s Ningaloo Reef, which is part of the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Coast.
The findings come after Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro declared on February 6 that a 246-hectare development area at East Arm on Darwin Harbour will be established as the Northern Marine Complex, activating powers under the Territory Coordinator Act that allow NT laws, including environmental protections, to be overridden for the construction of the Darwin Ship Lift Facility along with an adjoining industrial subdivision and barge ramp.
The declaration gives Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles authority to develop a plan for the area, with a public consultation process to follow.
NT Environment Centre director Dr Kirsty Howey said the government was fast-tracking development and her organisation was concerned the Territory Coordinator, a position filled by a former gas industry boss, would fast-track development in the harbour that will irrevocably transform its natural and cultural values beyond repair.
“This report is really exciting. It advances and synthesises the knowledge that we have about this harbour, and the statistics are incredible,” Dr Howey said.
“We have something like 220 bird species that frequent this harbour similar in numbers to the species that are found in places like Kakadu. We have fish species of a similar diversity and richness to Ningaloo Reef.
“We have the most diverse mangrove forest anywhere in Australia.
“These are things that should be treasured, that should be loved and should be protected. Unfortunately, what we’re seeing here in Darwin is our harbour under unprecedented pressure. We’re watching it quite literally disappear before our eyes as sea levels rise at rates not seen anywhere else in the country. We have industrial scale development proposed here that is also unprecedented, and will fundamentally transform this harbour forever, if it goes ahead.”
Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne did not respond to questions about the protection of the harbour by the time of publication.
When announcing the marine special development area, Ms Finocchiaro said independent analysis predicted the project would “deliver $924 million in public benefits” for the NT along with “an estimated 287 jobs across construction and operations”.
However in November last year, the Public Accounts Committee’s report into the ship lift project – which has never undergone a business plan – found its budget had increased from an initial $100 million in 2015 to $820 million, with the facility to be operated by the Paspaley Group, which will claim all profits while Territory taxpayers will carry more than $1.8 billion in “lifetime cost exposure” and “holding no right to revenue generated by the facility it is building”.
“This will now enliven the Territory Coordinator’s powers to be able to do what is necessary to make sure that the Northern Marine Complex is a strategic, well-coordinated project that delivers for the people of the Northern Territory now and well into the future,” Ms Finocchiaro told media in February.
She said an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and social impact assessment have already been undertaken for the current proposed scope of the ship lift, and the industrial park would require the same “where required”, along with refinement of major cost items including dredging. The legislation does not specifically mention EIAs, and it is unclear if the requirement by the NT EPA to undertake one could be removed completely or streamlined. The Guide to the Territory Coordinator Bill published in November 2024stated the minister would be able to exempt the requirement for public consultation on the referral to the NT EPA for the EIA but the remainder of the environmental impact assessment and approval process would continue as normal.
Dr Howey said the new report identified more than 1000 crustacean species, 71 species of sharks and rays, and up to 800 sponge species, alongside globally significant populations of critically endangered sawfish and six of the world’s seven marine turtle species. Seven species of dolphins are also found in the harbour, with three populations declining by up to 43 per cent.
Oceanwise director Ben Fitzpatrick said the harbour’s biodiversity was “found almost nowhere else on earth” and warned greater recognition was needed.
“Darwin Harbour is often overlooked, but it deserves the same recognition and protection as any of Australia’s great reef systems,” Dr Fitzpatrick said.
“It contains a level of marine life found almost nowhere else on Earth.
“Our job as scientists is to make sure the rest of Australia understands what’s here, before it’s too late.”
“IT CONTAINS A LEVEL OF MARINE LIFE FOUND ALMOST NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH”
Surely every territorian, and each and every citizen and every ‘State’ of Australia together; will not tolerate such desecration? Darwin Harbour . . . is a WORLD HARBOUR under every Territorian’s individual accountabilities. Every child yet to be born . . . will never forgive.