Business news from across the Northern Territory: The latest highlights include APA Group proposing to construct Beetaloo’s Sturt Plateau pipeline, Exact Contracting Pty Ltd being awarded $68 million for Stage 3 upgrades of the Carpentaria Highway, and a record cruise season bringing an economic boost. Also making resource news is Energy Resources Australia withdrawing its court challenge on the Jabiluka Lease.
Economy
APA Group proposes constructing Beetaloo’s Sturt Plateau pipeline
APA Group has proposed constructing a 37 km pipeline, the Sturt Plateau pipeline, for $70 million to connect the Shenandoah South gas field to the Amadeus Gas pipeline. Tamboran Resources has a nine-year gas supply agreement with the NT Government and aims to begin gas production by mid-2026, backed by holdings of approximately 1.9 million acres in the Beetaloo region.
The 1,658 km Amadeus pipeline will transport gas to Darwin for power generation. To minimise disruptions, APA will install underground pipelines and use surface markers for safety. Gas-fired power plants generate about 88 per cent of the electricity in the Territory, and Tamboran’s development is expected to supply 60 per cent of the Territory’s gas needs starting in 2026. The Sturt Plateau pipeline is crucial for energy security in the Northern Territory and the eastern Australian region, the company said.
Construction
Exact Contracting Pty Ltd awarded $68 million for Stage 3 upgrades for Carpentaria Highway
Exact Contracting Pty Ltd has been awarded a $68 million contract for Stage 3 of the Carpentaria Highway upgrades, which is part of a $254 million investment from the Commonwealth and NT Governments. Stage 3 will involve designing and constructing a dual-lane sealed road extending from the Tanumbirini Propacc Track to five kilometres beyond the October Creek Bridge, along with a new two-lane bridge and improved flood immunity features. Work is expected to start this month and be completed by December. Detours and traffic management will be put in place to minimise disruption.
Stage 1 was completed in September 2024, and Stage 2 is currently under construction, expected to finish by June 2025. Design work for Stage 4 is ongoing, while planning for Stage 5 is in the investigation phase, covering from CH175 to 270 km. The project is part of a comprehensive five-stage upgrade to the Carpentaria Highway.
Tourism
Record cruise season brings economic boost
Darwin Port experienced a record-breaking cruise season in 2024/25, welcoming 113 cruise ships and nearly 80,000 passengers. The final vessel, the Crown Princess, docked on May 5, contributing an impressive $181 million to the Territory’s economy and generating 527 local jobs.
A recent survey revealed that 91 per cent of cruise passengers expressed satisfaction with their visit, with many enjoying shopping and dining experiences in the area. In addition to the primary cruise market, the smaller expedition ship sector is flourishing, with 60 ships projected to bring over 11,000 passengers to the region by year-end, further enhancing the local tourism landscape.
Resources
ERA to withdraw court challenge on Jabiluka Lease
Energy Resources Australia (ERA) is expected to withdraw its legal challenge against the government’s denial of the Jabiluka mineral lease renewal, which holds one of Australia’s largest uranium deposits. This follows ERA’s full ownership by Rio Tinto, which has shown no interest in mining at the site.
The lease renewal was rejected by former Northern Territory mining minister Mark Monaghan in July 2024, influenced by plans to include the area in Kakadu National Park, a decision welcomed by the Mirrar traditional owners and environmental groups. During court proceedings, ERA’s representatives indicated potential discussions for an agreement before June, while a 2023 report highlighted a shift towards rehabilitating the nearby Ranger mine at an estimated cost of $2.2 billion, with no plans for uranium mining at Jabiluka.
Lock up the Territory for ever and wonder why things don’t happen and the debt level keeps going up.