National Landcare Awards: NT's urban nominee

Darwin International Airport

In 2011, Darwin International Airport won the urban landcare category at the NT Landcare Awards, and is now in the running for the National Award to be announced on 4 September 2012. Below is a summary of DIA's submission. You can read about other nominees and vote here. Voting closes on 4 September at 3:30pm NT time.

Photo: David Silva

Darwin International Airport is situated immediately adjacent to Rapid Creek, Darwin city’s only significant freshwater system. When Darwin International Airport Pty Ltd (DIA) acquired the 3km² airport lease from the Australian Government in 1998, Rapid Creek and its surrounding vegetation was being increasingly impacted  by  weeds, fire, clearing, dumping and inappropriate access.

Since 1998, DIA has established two conservation areas within the lease: a 75m wide buffer zone along the creek; and a 15 hectare Conservation Reserve connected to the creek through a wildlife corridor. The condition of vegetation communities within these areas has been enhanced with the help of hundreds of Darwin residents who have planted more than 20,000 plants, reduced the density of weeds and reduced fire fuel loads. Nature trail boardwalks and interpretive signage has also been installed.

DIA has also established the Matboerrma Gardens next to the terminal with the assistance of Greening Australia and the Larrakia people, which welcome visitors to Larrakia Country, Darwin and the Top End, and formally acknowledges Larrakia connections to country

Community involvement and volunteer contribution has been paramount to DIA’s conservation achievements and DIA has developed a range of valuable conservation partnerships.

DIA’s conservation efforts have created a greater awareness and understanding of significant natural resource and environmental issues within the Darwin area. The conservation sites are a significant community resource and have played host to numerous community events.