Diversifying the Northern Territory economy is one way the Territory Labor Government is creating long term local jobs.
Agricultural development will bring significant ongoing development opportunities and sustainable economic benefits to the Northern Territory – along with 150 local jobs.
With the support of the Northern Territory Government, the NT Land Corporation, in partnership with NT Farmers Association, is calling for Expressions of Interest for three highly prospective agricultural land developments:
Keep Plains Agricultural Development –
- 67,500 hectares available on the NT/WA border, adjoining WA’s iconic Ord River Irrigation Scheme, and suitable for a wide variety of high quality broadacre crops from melons to cotton to sorghum and chia.
Wildman Agricultural Development –
- 26,000 hectares of land along the Stuart Highway and Point Stuart road which could be used for high yield crops such as bananas, mangoes and leafy vegetables as well as cattle and buffalo production.
Larrimah Agricultural Development –
- 5,712 hectares of land on offer in the Big River region with direct access to logistics routes along the Stuart Highway the sites are suitable for a wide range of dryland and irrigated crops including mangoes, citrus and melons, as well as intensified beef production.
Spread out across the Territory the flow on from these three agricultural land releases is expected to create over 150 new jobs and regional training opportunities for Territorians and will grow the Territory’s capacity to lead with new agricultural innovation, technology, infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
Agriculture is Australia’s fastest growing sector. The Territory has a diverse and well-established agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, with plant-based industries alone worth over $350 million and over 135,000 tonnes of produce grown annually.
The Northern Territory is already recognised as a producer and supplier of high-quality mangoes, melons and Asian vegetables to domestic and international markets.
These agricultural land releases will enhance the development of sustainable industries within our region, grow regional and remote economies and create jobs, training and provide business opportunities for Territorians.
The NT Government is supporting these land releases through investment in our roads infrastructure in order to access these highly prospective sites.
The Keep River Plains Road upgrades valued at over $58 million, jointly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments, provides significant opportunities for the Keep Plains Agricultural Development. In addition, the Territory Government recently released the design tender for the Point Stuart Road, which will provide even more accessibility to the Wildman Agricultural Precinct.
To view the expressions of interests visit:
As stated by the Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture, Nicole Manison:
“The Territory’s agricultural sector has a significant role to play in the recovery of our economy. The potential for growth in food and fibre production in the Territory will attract private investment, create long-term, sustainable employment and diversify the Territory’s suite of exports.
“The strategic development of agricultural precincts will drive sustainable growth and development of the sector and capitalise on the potential that the industry has in the future of our economy.
“These agricultural land releases offer exciting investment opportunities for emerging agribusiness in the Northern Territory which will provide up to 150 jobs for Territorians.
As stated by the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler:
“We are investing in infrastructure that supports greater private investment in the Territory, more economic opportunities and creates local jobs for Territorians.
“The Territory Labor Government values constructing road networks that will strengthen our transport connections for agriculture, resources and pastoral industries, creating opportunities for future investment and more jobs for the region.
“The creation of these upgraded roads is further creating access to the $350 million agriculture industry the Territory already has.”
As stated by NT Farmers Association Chief Executive, Paul Burke:
“One of the biggest challenges to agricultural development in the NT is access to land that is suitable for broadacre cropping activities.
“The release of these highly prospective large scale agricultural land developments will see the Northern Territory capitalise on the increasing demand for quality Australian produce, ensure sustainable continuity of food supply for national and export markets and enhance the profitability and economic resilience of the region.
“At a time when Australia’s economy is desperately needing recovery initiatives and investments agricultural development will bring significant long-term opportunities and economic benefits to Northern Australia.”
