NT Airports Infrastructure and Upgrades
Discover how NAIF's $150 million loan is transforming Darwin, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs airports, increasing operational capacity, creating jobs, and driving exports. This investment will have a lasting impact on the Northern Territory's economy and Indigenous engagement.
January 2019
Transport & Logistics
Darwin (Garramilla), Tennant Creek (Jurnkkurakurr) & Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Airports
NAIF’s loan will help expand airport facilities at three Northern Territory airports and support the development of the Territory’s export potential, particularly for agricultural products.
Background
The Airport Development Group (ADG), is a prominent infrastructure management company headquartered in Darwin in the Northern Territory. ADG owns and oversees a diverse range of infrastructure assets, including airports, hotels, and aviation and commercial buildings.
With a strategic focus on expansion, ADG has ambitious plans to extend into Western Australia and Queensland, solidifying its position as a leading player in the industry. The company is owned by superannuation fund managers IFM Investors and Palisade Investment Partners.
ADG is dedicated to creating and managing infrastructure assets that cater to the evolving needs of communities.
Project Overview
The project investment will increase the operational capacity of each airport, create jobs, drive new export opportunities into Asian markets, boost the Northern Territory’s tourism potential, and support energy security for businesses and residents in the north.
The project includes:
- Freight, cold storage, and an export/import hub at Darwin International Airport
- Solar arrays at Darwin, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek airports, servicing local communities and the airports
- A proposed off-airport multi-user battery storage in Darwin
- The resurfacing of Alice Springs Airport’s runway, taxiways and apron, as well as installation of new runway lighting.
How We Helped
NAIF’s ability to provide concessional tenor and pricing will enable the acceleration of the development of these important facilities, which generate significant public benefit.
Public Impact
Independent analysis forecasts that the infrastructure funded by NAIF will support up to 980 jobs in the construction phase, 500 indirect jobs through the supply chain and more than 142 new ongoing operational positions. The most recent media release relating to NAIF’s support for ADG can be found here.
This investment will grow our reputation and capacity to attract bigger planes to carry more tourists and more of our region’s iconic products such as mud crabs, barramundi, mangoes and melons to the world. These can be processed through the new VHT plant and stored in the new cold storage facility before being air freighted straight out of Darwin, rather than being trucked to Queensland.
Ian Kew
Former Northern Territory Airports CEO
Related Links
Indigenous Commitments
10%
Indigenous Engagement
- The Larrakia, Warumungu and Arrente people
Airport Development Group operates three airports located at Darwin, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, on the lands of the Larrakia, Warumungu and Arrernte peoples.
The Larrakia people are the Traditional Owners of Garramilla (Darwin) region where Darwin International Airport is located. The Larrakia people traditionally inhabited lands that extend from the Cox Peninsula in the west, towards Gunn Point in the north, towards Adelaide River in the east, and towards Manton Dam in the south. Their lands extend over Darwin and Palmerston, which are the two largest cities in the Northern Territory.
The Warumungu people are the Traditional Owners of Jurnkkurakurr (Tennant Creek) where Tennant Creek Airport is located.
The Warumungu people traditionally inhabited lands that covered a large portion of the western side of the Barkly Region, extending from the town of Tennant Creek in the west, towards Alroy Downs Station in the east. The Stuart and Barkly Highways, both important road routes in the Northern Territory, traverse through and connect on Warumungu country.
The Arrernte people are the Traditional Owners of Mparntwe (Alice Springs) where Alice Springs Airport is located. The Central and Eastern Arrernte people have traditionally inhabited the lands closest to Mparntwe, and their lands extend from Mparntwe and the East MacDonnell Ranges in the west, towards the Ross River to the east, extending along the eastern reaches of the Todd River.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Commitments
- ADG recognises the importance of engaging with the Larrakia people and local Indigenous stakeholders throughout their project deliveries and they commit to maintaining regular engagement and providing cultural awareness training to their employees.
- ADG have partnered with the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation to create the Gurambai Cultural Experience along the Rapid Creek foreshore and introduced a digital Welcome to Country coinciding with the commencement of new international flights at Darwin Airport.
- ADG actively collaborate with Indigenous employment agencies to seek opportunities for best-practice employment approaches, mentorship, and capacity building.
- ADG fosters partnerships with Indigenous engagement experts and employment service providers to prioritize Indigenous employment and training.
Indigenous Engagement Strategy Outcomes
- As of August 2023, ADG has surpassed its employment and procurement targets during the construction phase of the freight and cold storage project.
- ADG has proactively set up the Indigenous Training Academy to create employment and training pathways, especially in collaboration with hospitality and retail outlets at Darwin Airport.
- ADG sponsors an Environmental Sciences scholarship worth up to $10,000 in partnership with Charles Darwin University to support Indigenous education.
- ADG is actively developing an Indigenous Procurement framework to boost Indigenous procurement across their business by enhancing engagement and reporting processes.
