Skip to content

2.3.5 Environmental Management

Sources: Lake Bennett (Land Title) Act 2005 Schedule 5; Articles of Corporation — Units Plan 97/026; NT weed / fire / water guidance.

Planning Principles (Schedule 5, clause 7)

Development in the Lake Bennett locality should:

  • Support sustainable use of land and water and avoid or minimise environmental degradation and pollution or over-commitment of water resources.
  • Use climatically appropriate, energy-efficient rural building design.
  • Conserve areas and sites of environmental, cultural or heritage value identified by the Territory.
  • Consider flood levels to minimise risk to life and property.
  • Value unimproved land for ecosystem functions protecting native flora, fauna, soil and water.

Consent authorities must consider any potential detrimental impact on the lake, visual and environmental impact, and adequacy of services (Schedule 5, clause 8).

Protection Measures

Lake and Water Quality

  • All waste water and septic facilities must be sited at least 100 m from the full supply level of the lake, or outside its catchment, and designed so no effluent flows into the lake (Schedule 5, clauses 9–13).
  • New dwellings on Section 1252 must connect to the estate effluent disposal system and to reticulated potable water (Schedule 6, Conditions 7–8).
  • No proprietor may discharge sewage, other waste or fertiliser into Lake Bennett (Articles 6).
  • Recreational use of lake/foreshore must not be inconsistent with any Water Act 1992 licence to take or use surface water (Act Schedule 4, clause 1).
  • See also 3.1.5 Water Conservation and wastewater sections 3.2.

Vegetation and Clearing

  • Clearing of native vegetation must avoid impacts on environmentally significant vegetation, waterways, habitat fragmentation and erodible soils (Schedule 5, clause 28).
  • Clearing of more than one hectare in total (including previously cleared area) requires consent, with application matters listed in clause 28(5) (sensitive vegetation, essential habitat, biodiversity, water features, buffers, heritage/archaeological places, etc.).
  • Exceptions for lopping, harvesting planted vegetation, incidental grazing, and clearing firebreaks, fence lines and roads (Schedule 5, definition of clearing of native vegetation).
  • Common-property gardens/plants must not be damaged; unit gardens on common property need Corporation consent (Articles 9.4).
  • Fences/screens: mass planting of palms and other plants only (Articles 5.2.7). See 2.3.4 Development Controls for landscaping and weed resources.

Soil and Erosion

  • Keeping domestic livestock must not unreasonably contribute to erosion or pollution of land, adjoining land or the lake (Schedule 5, clauses 9 and 11) — livestock rules differ by section; on Section 1252 domestic livestock must not be kept at all (clause 12(2)(c)).

Wildlife and Amenity

  • Lake/foreshore recreation must not generate noise or disturbance that detrimentally affects adjoining amenity (Schedule 5, clause 14).
  • Nuisance noise is prohibited under Articles 7.

Fire Management

  • Firebreaks and Gamba grass obligations are summarised in 2.3.4 Development Controls.
  • Each unit must keep a charged fire extinguisher near the kitchen (Articles 8).
  • Emergencies: 000; floods/storms/cyclones: 132 500.

Sustainability Requirements

Topic Estate expectation
Energy Climatically appropriate design encouraged (Schedule 5, clause 7); grid connection per 3.3
Water No wasting water; taps turned off after use (Articles 10); conservation measures in 3.1.5
Waste No rubbish on common property (Articles 9.1); wastewater via OWMS (section 3.2)
Monitoring Body corporate / Whittles notices; environmental incidents to NT EPA (see 1.4)
Compliance Development approvals, Corporation building approvals, and NT legislation

Version Control

Version Date Description
1.0 2025-10-06 Initial Release
1.1 2026-08-11 Content from Schedule 5, Articles and linked O&M

Next Review Date: 2027-02-11