Action item 13.12

Action item update

Implementation

The Northern Territory Government works with all levels of government, (including the Australian Government), peak organisations, communities and gas companies to identify and manage infrastructure risks, including identifying and implementing options to fund any new infrastructure or upgrade existing infrastructure.

1. Infrastructure Australia approved and listed the Northern Territory’s submission for development of the Beetaloo Sub-basin as a Nationally Significant Project.
2. The Australian and NT governments have announced joint funding of $367 million in road upgrades to the Carpentaria Highway, sections of the Stuart Highway, Buchanan Highway, Western Creek Road and Gorrie Dry Creek Road.
3. Infrastructure NT was formed in April 2021, led by the Infrastructure Commissioner, to deliver strategic infrastructure planning and development which co-ordinates and aligns infrastructure needs with industry and population growth.
4. The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL) commissioned a series of studies which engaged extensively with key stakeholders and identified infrastructure risks, tested its assumptions and analysis and provided critical feedback:

• Mapping future transport for improved planning and operation – on CSIRO’s GISERA website
• Analysis of Infrastructure and Logistics Requirements for the Development of an Onshore Oil and Gas Industry in the Northern Territory PDF (3.7 MB)

5. In late November 2021, DIPL engaged with a targeted stakeholder group of 15 organisations, including petroleum interest holders in the Beetaloo Sub-basin area and peak bodies and industry organisations in mining, gas exploration and pipeline assets. The purpose was to seek comment on the priority list of immediate to short term (0 – 5 years) road upgrade projects within the Beetaloo Sub-basin (funded under the NT Gas Industry Roads Corridor Investment Strategy), as well as longer term (Over 5 years) priorities.
6. The NT Infrastructure Framework, will focus on place-based planning integrated with infrastructure planning. This place-based approach enables infrastructure project planning to be informed by local decision making and regional development strategies, which can identify projects of significance to regions and communities around the Beetaloo Sub-basin.
7. The Australian Government, NT Government and Barkly Regional Council are also implementing the Barkly Regional Deal a funding agreement, to deliver social and economic infrastructure projects, as well social and cultural programs for communities in close proximity to the Beetaloo Basin. The total funded amount is $78.4 million and covers items such as youth infrastructure, multi-purpose accommodation and ongoing funding for airstrips and new housing in the Barkly region.
8. DIPL is a member of the Big Rivers Regional Coordination Committee, which includes NT Government agencies and Local Government Councils in the Big Rivers Region. A key function of the coordination committee is to oversee infrastructure projects and opportunities in the region.