Infrastructure NT releases Northern Territory's first infrastructure blueprint

An aerial photo of Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory. Image: Shutterstock.

The Northern Territory state government has this week released a framework detailing infrastructure priorities.

Established in 2021, new state body Infrastructure NT is seeking stakeholder and public feedback on the new NT Infrastructure Framework position paper which sets the vision, purpose and implementation pathways to prioritise government investment in infrastructure.

Northern Territory’s Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler said the framework would ensure investment was being made in the right infrastructure, in the right place, at the right time to support the Territory’s economic and population growth.

“Quality projects that enable economic development are important to the Northern Territory’s come back,” Minister Lawler said.

“Now is the time for a refocused approach to delivering strategic infrastructure planning and development to accelerate the Territory’s post COVID 19 economic rebound. This is the blueprint to how we will continue to grow our current projects and bring new builds to the Territory.”

Infrastructure NT was a key recommendation of the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission to ensure the economic development of the Territory. Working with the Investment and Major Project commissioners, the role of the body is to plan and coordinate the Territory’s infrastructure needs in line with industry and population growth.

Newly appointed Infrastructure Commissioner, Louise McCormick said the framework had been informed by robust analysis.

“Refocussing our infrastructure investment strategy and planning will ensure we get the balance right between social and economic infrastructure to achieve government’s clear goals of economic and population growth,” Ms McCormick said.

“We are not starting with a blank page. The Framework has been informed by robust analysis of information, strategies and feedback. This has informed the development of the blueprint which articulates the foundations of the new Strategy, Audit, Plan and Pipeline.

“As Commissioner I have also been working closely with the Investment and Major Project Commissioners to ensure our blueprint connects the Territory’s investment pipeline. This will ensure we invest in the economic and social infrastructure needed to support growth.”

The adoption of place-based approach to the Infrastructure Plan is a key proposed change, aiming to create a clearer connection between local growth opportunities and the infrastructure investment needed to support that growth.

Key aspects of the position paper aim to enhance the Territory’s position for more projects recognised at the national level, including:

Central Australian Tourism Recovery, which will include the National Aboriginal Art Gallery and upgrading the Mereenie Loop;
NT Regional Logistic Hubs;
Central Arnhem Road; and
Darwin Harbour Marine Industry Park.

Work is also underway on a government infrastructure audit, as well as identifying projects within the infrastructure pipeline from both government and private sector expenditure. This will assist in managing market capacity, the flow of work and help industry plan for their workforce requirements.

The Framework is also aligned to Infrastructure Australia’s framework. Currently, the Territory has eight projects on Infrastructure Australia’s priority list including: