Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct

The Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct is a Whole of Government project led by Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics. The Land Development Corporation is a partner in the project and is developing the Kittyhawk and Spitfire Estate.

Vision

The Northern Territory Government is working with industry and the Australian Government to transform Middle Arm into a globally competitive, sustainable precinct with a focus on low emission, renewable hydrogen, carbon capture storage and minerals processing. Middle Arm is already home to a globally significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub, with the Santos-led Darwin LNG and INPEX-led Ichthys LNG onshore processing facilities currently operational. Further development of Middle Arm into a globally competitive, sustainable precinct provides critical growth opportunities for the Territory, and is supported by:

• untapped proven gas reserves offshore and a world-class shale gas resource onshore
• highly prospective geological storage to sequester carbon dioxide emissions
• critical minerals reserves including copper, lithium, vanadium, rare earths, tungsten and cobalt
• access to renewable energy sources
• established construction, logistics and operations capability
• proximity to international markets.

Located on the Middle Arm Peninsula, the estate will provide a variety of lot sizes for sale or lease, to accommodate a diverse range of new and emerging industries including:

• minerals processing
• carbon capture utilisation and storage
• utilities
• logistics
• commercial industries.

Prioritising development of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct enables the Territory to capitalise on its world-class natural resources, to create substantial long-term employment opportunities, population and economic growth, and capitalise on the growing global demand for decarbonised energy and supply chains.

Find out more on the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct project website.

Why now?

Manufacturing and exports are two key ways in which the Territory will future proof our community and economy.

Darwin is now a globally significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub, supplying more than 10 percent of Japan and Taiwan’s annual global gas imports.

Currently generating in exports more than a fifth of the Territory’s Gross State Product, this industry has the capacity to grow, the timing of which depends on domestic and international demand and the development of new prospective sources of onshore gas resources and existing offshore gas reserves and infrastructure.

The Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct meets a number of objectives that have been identified in helping the Territory recover and rebuild for a better future – as articulated in the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission report:

• Create jobs in the near, medium and long term
• Attract private investment
• Support current and emerging industries
• Build on the Territory’s competitive advantages
• Unlock the potential of the Territory’s regions.

Environmental planning

Environmental considerations are paramount in the development of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct. Baseline investigations are underway, including identifying plant and animal biodiversity, marine environmental values, and air and water quality data to inform planning to protect environmental values during any future development.

Other investigations will include determining industry requirements, infrastructure marine, geotechnical and services assessments and marine navigation investigations.

The project will also be referred to the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority, as required under the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Act 2019.

A key component of the development of the draft master plan will be a robust approach to engaging and collaborating with affected stakeholders. This process will begin shortly and will continue throughout the project lifecycle to inform planning activities and to ensure meaningful and effective engagement for all stakeholders.

Community engagement

The Territory Government will ensure consultation and engagement is extensive, inclusive and thorough and is also committed to delivering a deliberative approach to involving the community in informing feasibility of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct. The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics is leading community consultation and engagement during the feasibility stage and will be delivering continuous information as well as opportunities for people to connect and become involved.

Some of these opportunities will include meetings, presentations, workshops and focus groups and digital communication, and the community will be given the opportunity to be involved at various stages.

Interested stakeholders can email: Contact.MASDP@nt.gov.au to register their interest in the community engagement process.