Latest highlights include the NT’s first magnetite shipment leaving for Asia, the Federal Government committing an additional $200 million to boost the NT’s rare earths mine, and MetalsGrove announcing encouraging exploration findings. Also making resource news is energy company Echelon making further acquisitions in the Territory.
UPDATED: Two 30-year-old men reportedly escaped from an NT Corrections facility in Nhulunbuy on Saturday night, with Corrections not discovering until the next morning that a third inmate, aged 34, had also escaped the facility around the same time, NT Police said. The trio were arrested on Monday.
UPDATED: Four male youths who escaped from a “supported accommodation” facility in Alice Springs on Wednesday night around 10pm, have been apprehended, the NT Police said on Friday afternoon.
Today’s national news includes Peter Dutton announcing a $20,000 small business tax cut, a State of emergency declared in storm hit areas in the eastern region, Australians lost $319 million in scams last year, and Telstra forming AI joint venture with Accenture.
The Finocchiaro Government is pushing ahead with its proposed Territory Coordinator role following a travelling roadshow throughout the Territory, while the Opposition has called on the government to properly consult with the public before rushing through the legislation it says will give an unelected official special powers to circumvent regulations.
Arafura Rare Earths is now searching for more private investment following the Federal Government announcing an additional infusion of $200 million to help develop its rare earths mine and processing facility in the NT, bringing the total public funding commitment to the project to more than $1 billion.
Territorians are being encouraged to have their say on the proposed Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) project, the largest water infrastructure project in the Territory’s history, with a referral recently submitted to the Environment Protection Authority.
A dangerous driving incident that saw a man allegedly flee police while high on methamphetamine ended when the NT Police, assisted by its drone unit, apprehended the 33-year-old man in Alice Springs late last night.
Environmentalists and traditional owners have voiced concerns after an incident involving contaminated water being pumped onto vegetation near a fracking site in the Beetaloo Basin was reported this week, raising concerns of what could happen when more wells are drilled in the region.
The Australian Medical Association NT says it holds concerns that St John Ambulance cannot run a safe ambulance service for Territorians, following a damning report into its operations and a vote of no confidence in the organisation’s executive team by its own paramedics.
A $34 million water security program, dubbed ‘Better Bores for Communities’ has been launched across the NT to improve water security, quality and supply in 10 remote communities, following the NT Government’s failed legal bid to overturn a court ruling that found it was obligated to provide access to safe drinking water in remote communities.
A 72-year-old man has been arrested and charged for alleged historical child sex offences committed in Berry Springs between 2010 and 2015, NT Police said.
