Common User Facility

About the Project

The Common User Facility is located approximately 18 km by road from Darwin CBD and less than 0.5 km from the entry to the Darwin Port.

Featuring direct access to Berrimah Road, this facility enhances the ability of local industry to compete for work in the oil and gas, resources, marine and Defence industries and offers a dedicated heavy/wide load route, enabling the movement of equipment and modules in a safe, efficient and effective manner.

Multi-user barge ramp

Opened in September 2016, the Multi-User Barge Ramp is considered as first - class infrastructure, with almost all tide access and a ramp designed for a variety of coastal barges.

The barge ramp features:

Heavy duty paved access roadway and concrete ramp

Shallow draft barge access for all tides above 0.3m

A rock protection breakwater

A ramp designed for amphibious landing craft that can cater for a variety of coastal type barges

Navigation aids including sector and cardinal markers;

Lighting and

Access to potable water

Hardstand Area

The hardstand area within the Common User Facility assists general industry and major project contractors with access to safe and secure areas for temporary laydown, fabrication and storage. It features a 14 metre wide entrance, with underground power at the entrance for large equipment movement, two metre high external fencing and 9 hectares (90,000m2) of secure laydown area. Users have 24/7 access to designated areas under a lease arrangement.

Suitable activities/uses for the hardstand area include:

Engineering, fabrication and module assembly;
Mining, oil and gas related activities;
Temporary storage of equipment and machinery;
Project staging;
Defence support;
Container packing/unpacking; and
Transport and logistics.

The Corporation operates a user pay system whereby users lease the square metre area that they need for the length of time that they need. Users enter into a licence agreement to occupy a designated area to undertake a specific activity. The licence agreement outlines the user’s designated area for occupation, and operational protocols.

All applications for lease of areas within the Common User Facility will be subject to availability and assessed for suitability. Preference will be given to temporary staging for barge ramp loading and unloading.