The Australian Government committed $440 million in planned equity towards a network of regional logistics hubs across the Northern Territory in the October Federal Budget.
This is a significant step forward for the project and the Territory as the Stage 1 Business Case and the program is now listed as a national infrastructure priority.
The proposal identifies the need for appropriately located terminals, rail sidings and warehousing along the Darwin-Tarcoola rail line.
The Regional Logistics hubs are increasingly important to capitalise on the Northern Territory's rich resource base in gas and minerals deposits, rare earths and solar irradiance.
The estimated total investment from several proposed projects in mining, minerals and energy industries across the NT is over $38 billion. This investment is expected to support an estimated 6,000 plus construction jobs. Much of the investment and employment increase will occur in remote and very remote regions with higher proportions of First Nations people.
To realise this opportunity, the capacity and efficiency of rail freight and logistics infrastructure along the primary north-south Darwin-Tarcoola rail corridor will need to be upgraded.
The infrastructure will support the development and operation of projects in resources, agriculture, renewable energy and construction, which is essential to achieve the NT Government's goal of a $40 billion economy by 2030.
Additionally, the regional logistics hubs will increase supply chain capacity across the Territory to benefit communities and increase employment in remote areas.
Quote Attributable to Minister for Infrastructure Planning & Logistics:
"Projects like the Northern Territory Regional Logistics hubs greatly support our ambitious target of a $40 billion economy by 2030.
"By improving rail efficiency and intermodal capacity along the north-south corridor we will support rail volumes and remove investment barriers for development of proposed mining, agriculture and energy projects across the Territory.
"Having projects accepted onto the Australian National Infrastructure Priority list is great news for the Northern Territory, I will continue to work with the Federal Government and Infrastructure Australia to ensure the best outcomes are achieved."
Northern Territory Government
