The Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), a development financier with a $5 billion lending facility provided by the Commonwealth Government to provide loans to infrastructure projects and businesses across northern Australia, is pleased to announce the establishment of a Darwin office.
The creation of a base in the Northern Territory is the latest step in increasing the organisation’s coverage across the north, building on NAIF’s on the ground presence in North Queensland and Western Australia.
Joining NAIF’s Darwin operation is Rebecca Cass, who will coordinate stakeholder related activities across the Territory. Rebecca is based at Development House on The Esplanade from where her work will focus on continuing to develop and expand NAIF’s relationship with stakeholders including the Northern Territory Government, key agencies, industry groups and potential project proponents, as part of our broader mission of supporting economic growth in the Territory.
Prior to joining NAIF, Rebecca managed external affairs for INPEX in the Northern Territory and advised a number of ministers in the Northern Territory Government.
“NAIF’s mission is to generate transformational growth for northern Australia through being an innovative financing partner,” NAIF CEO Chris Wade said.
“A key focus of our mission is working with a range of key stakeholders to help ensure any financing will drive public benefit, economic and population growth and Indigenous involvement in northern Australia. The establishment of a Darwin office is an important next step to help NAIF further grow our partnerships in the Territory,” Mr Wade said.
In the Territory, NAIF has helped support projects with offers of funding (known as Investment Decisions) worth $857 m, supporting more than 3,000 jobs. These projects include:
- The establishment of Charles Darwin University’s new campus, where work is underway.
- Expanded facilities at Humpty Doo Barramundi, helping grow the Northern Territory’s aquaculture sector.
- The development of the $300m Shiplift at the Port of Darwin.
- Helping deliver airport upgrades across the Territory with NT Airports
- Support to Voyages Indigenous Tourism for airport upgrades at Connellan Airport, Yulara).
- The construction of new gas and solar projects in the Darwin region with Merricks Capital.
Working with the Northern Territory Government, NAIF has now reached contractual close of $636m in transactions in the Territory – a critical point of economic enablement where design and construction activities commence, and job creation starts.
NAIF’s mandate was recently extended to 30 June 2026 by the Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia. On 30 September the Minister also announced a series of reforms aimed at assisting NAIF to further accelerating its investment activity as part of a broader response to assist northern Australia in its post COVID 19 recovery phase.