Defence Housing Australia is under investigation by a federal government department for alleged illegal land clearing at Lee Point, it has been reported.

The NT News reported the allegations were made by Environmental Justice Australia and Larrakia Danggalaba traditional owner Kevin ‘Tibby’ Quall, who claim the DHA bulldozed at least 20 meters into areas that had not yet received all federal development approvals at the 740-home residential development site in Darwin.

The EJA said DHA cleared beyond the allowed areas without a plan for the endangered Gouldian finch or a revised construction environmental management plan, and had not met conditions for safeguarding the black-footed tree rat.

The paper reported the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water confirmed it was investigating potential violations of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

It is five months since the DHA halted work at the site after allegations a 6 ha area was cleared despite DHA being said to have still been waiting approval from the NT Development Consent Authority.

The NT News reported the NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics said it was still investigating that matter with no predicted time frame for a conclusion.

However DHA maintained that it cooperates with the requirements of both governments over the Lee Point development.

“Throughout the entirety of the project, DHA has taken significant steps regarding environmental considerations,” an un-named agency spokeswoman was quoted as saying

“Lee Point is a significant project not just for the Defence families for whom we have a responsibility to provide housing, but also for its contribution to the NT economy and assistance in addressing the housing shortage in Darwin.”

In its master plan, DHA promised green space and biodiversity. It included an 11.9 ha protected area under the Environmental Protection Authority, a 33 ha conservation area, a 50-metre-wide wildlife corridor to support the Gouldian finch, and a school and community facilities.