Business news from across the Northern Territory: The latest highlights include the Twin Falls gorge at Kakadu National Park re-opening in 2026, Marriott launching its first hotel in Darwin, a new pipeline for Tamboran’s Beetaloo projects, and Tivan’s Speewah awarded major project status by the Federal Government. Also making resource news is Eclipse raising $1.14 million for cornerstone rare earth and uranium projects.

Local business and tourism

Twin Falls gorge at Kakadu National Park to re-open in 2026

The Twin Falls gorge in Kakadu National Park is set to reopen in 2026 after a significant infrastructure upgrade. This enhancement will introduce new elevated boardwalks and a cantilevered staircase that offers views of the 150-meter waterfalls. This initiative is part of a broader $216 million project by the Australian Government aimed at boosting jobs and tourism, the government said. The upgrade will also revitalise the day-use area, amenities, and parking facilities. The design process involved input from Traditional Owners, and the clearance of sacred sites has been handled in collaboration with them. Construction is expected to commence during the dry season in 2025.

Marriott to launch its first hotel in Darwin

Marriott International is set to open its inaugural hotel in Darwin by transforming the existing Smith Hotel into the Courtyard by Marriott Darwin, following a partnership with local builder DCOH. Extensive renovations are scheduled to commence soon, with the first phase anticipated to wrap up by 2025 and the entire project finished by 2027, the companies announced. The hotel will feature 186 guest rooms, an outdoor pool, a rooftop gym, and a restaurant serving modern Australian-Asian cuisine. This marks Marriott’s fourth hotel in Australia, highlighting its expansion strategy in capital cities. Originally, Marriott aimed to open a luxury hotel in Darwin, but those plans were modified in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources

APA, Tamboran finalize $66 million pipeline agreement to transport Beetaloo gas to Darwin

A new 37-kilometer pipeline, the Sturt Plateau Pipeline, will connect Tamboran Resources’ gas assets in the Beetaloo Basin to the Amadeus pipeline in the Northern Territory by early 2026. This project, which includes a 12-inch diameter pipeline and a connection to the proposed Sturt Plateau Compression Facility, is estimated to cost $66.5 million and depends on obtaining necessary approvals. Under a gas transport agreement with APA Group, revenues will begin once gas transport starts, expected in the first half of 2026. The agreement will last until at least 2041. Both APA and Tamboran leaders highlighted the project’s importance for energy security and fulfilling gas sales to the NT Government, aiming for 40 terajoules per day starting in 2026.

Tivan’s Speewah awarded major project status by the federal government

Territory-based company Tivan has recently garnered attention from the Federal Government following two major announcements concerning its Speewah fluorite project in Western Australia. The company has been awarded a $7.4 million cash grant as part of the Commonwealth’s International Partnerships in Critical Minerals program and has also received major project status, which streamlines government approval processes. Tivan aims to establish a mining and processing operation for acid-grade fluorspar in partnership with Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation. This project holds strategic significance for producing materials essential for semiconductor manufacturing and electric vehicle batteries. It was reported Tivan is aiming to use money generated from Speewah to help finance a vanadium redox battery manufacturing plant at the proposed Darwin Middle Arm industrial precinct.

Resources

Eclipse raising $1.14 million for cornerstone rare earth and uranium projects

Eclipse Metals Ltd is proposing a pro-rata non-renounceable rights issue to raise approximately $1.144 million by offering new fully paid ordinary shares at $0.002 each. This offer, representing a significant discount to the current share price, aims to strengthen the company’s financial position and support the development of transformative resource projects in Greenland and here in the Northern Territory. The funds will expand the Ivigtût Project, advance critical mineral and REE exploration, develop the uranium portfolio, cover offer costs, and provide general working capital. The offer is exclusive to eligible shareholders, allowing them to increase their ownership before potential future share price increases.