An “infrastructure corridor” that would see pipelines from Tennant Creek to Darwin for future services including gas, water, communications and other utilities is under review by the NT Government, which it says will bolster the development of key regional areas.

A government feasibility study on the planned infrastructure identified a pilot corridor alignment, which takes into account engineering, environmental, social and infrastructure considerations. The study will be refined during consultation with stakeholders, including landowners, the Aboriginal Area Protection Authority and Land Councils.

The consultation aims to seek local input about the proposed corridor alignment and to identify “the constraints that need to be considered to plan for the project”, the government said.

Outlining several infrastructure pipelines within the same corridor provides opportunities for the Territory’s hydrogen energy, oil and digital infrastructure industry participants to efficiently transport products to commercial markets, the government said. The infrastructure will also reduce the impacts of multiple corridors for the different services that will be needed.

The government expects the corridor linking the regions with key infrastructure would provide long-term and sustainable jobs for regional Territorians.

Aside from conducting stakeholders’ consultations, the government said it will also hold public information campaigns through events and drop-in sessions in Tennant Creek, Katherine, Adelaide River and the Greater Darwin region.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said the government is also looking into the potential impacts of the proposed corridor on Aboriginal sacred sites and Aboriginal areas.

“The aim of the consultation is to engage stakeholders in detail about the proposed corridor, and environmental considerations and to better understand its potential impacts on land use,” she said.

“This is an early planning and investigation phase as part of a long-term project to support growth across multiple sectors in the Territory economy, including natural gas, hydrogen energy and digital infrastructure.”