NT Eyes Looming Boom as Planning Commissioner Bows Out

Darwin has sat dormant for a decade but the resource rich territory is “on the threshold” of a boom for resources and new cities. It rides on the back of two major projects that have already passed major environmental hurdles: Tamboran Resources’ Beetaloo Basin shale gas project with 14.15 trillion cubic metres of gas (1000 times annual domestic consumption) and SunCable’s $30-billion-plus solar energy proposal for an Australia-Asia Power Link. These projects are expected to drive major spikes in population growth, property prices and rent. As the boom looms, planning for two cities just south of Darwin—Palmerston City and the new centre of Weddell—is progressing, opening up residential and industrial land. At the same time, the territory government is seeking a new head of the Northern Territory Planning Commission to shape the future of development in the Top End. The position is open after David Ritchie, who has headed the commission for eight years, announced in May he was leaving the role. Ritchie is due to leave the post July 11, however he will be involved in the selection and transition process for his replacement. ▲ Map of the Weddell planning study and Northern Territory Planning Commissioner David Ritchie. Ritchie says unlike other major cities where planners play catch-up as private developers lead the way, developers are second to the work of the territory government. “It’s a resource state, so much more like north Queensland or northern WA ... every so often, we get a boom,” he says. “That then spikes property prices, spikes demand and there ’ s a huge amount of energy spent trying to catch up with it ... and then it fades away. “The last one we had peaked around a decade ago, before I started. That was offshore gas. “We are right on the threshold now of two potentially much bigger developments. “If they happen simultaneously, we’re looking at another bubble. “Making sure we’ve got land available ... is the challenge that’s been here the entire time I’ve been here.” Those solar and gas megaprojects’ final investment decisions are due in 2028. If all goes according to plan, 2030 will be when things really start ramping up. “We’ve got a population of 150,000—it’s tiny,” Ritchie says. “These kinds of projects engage technical experts and people who expect to be accommodated well. “So the companies just come in, and find out how much it costs to rent the property. Rents can double in six months. “They build workers camps and are busing people back and forward, then school bus services and municipal bus services have lost all their drivers because they’re paying double, and running 24-hour shifts.” ▲ Beetaloo Basin generators are expected to produce gas from 2026. The NT Planning Commissioner says the territory was much more prepared for the coming bubble and boom than last time. Ritchie says the NT has a pipeline of residential and industrial land to deliver in the north and south as its population growth far surpasses the usual 2.5 per cent growth rate. “In Palmerston, the satellite city of Darwin, we’ve got the potential to keep expanding, just to keep ahead of the curve for residential lots,” he says. “We’re lucky that the crown holds a stock of peri-urban land so we’re not having to acquire properties ... in this case we got hold of a former defence establishment. “Over the last eight years that’s developed and they’re cutting up lots now … that can just keep on rolling for the next probably 20 years.” Ritchie says while groundwork has been done, there is heavy lifting ahead for the next commissioner to create a city. “The next city is Weddell, which is ... immediately south of Palmerston,” Ritchie says. “The crown has held the land for it for nearly 50 years, now we’ve started the planning for it.” ▲ SunCable’s Australia-Asia Power Link project is in the Barkly region of the Northern Territory. This will comprise residential and industrial land to support the renewable projects in the Middle Arm region of the NT coast. At Alice Springs a major industrial landholding could soon be under way. Ritchie says that south of The Gap, a suburb of Alice Springs, a residential development area had opened up while pressure on industrial land was growing. “That’s another big area we have to update the plan for ... the critical issues there are water and what you can do on the surface that won’t affect the borefield,” he says. “The other big thing there is native title and Aboriginal cultural heritage.” Ritchie says it’s a fascinating space for planning, where greenies, shooters and fishermen have a united front and the territory government, not council, is responsible for planning. ▲ Alice Springs is attracting investment particularly for industrial development near The Gap. NT planning minister Joshua Burgoyne said Ritchie’s commitment to public service and the NT community “has been invaluable in ensuring that planning processes remained efficient, equitable, and considerate of all stakeholders”. “He has overseen many important projects and the preparation of land use plans which will continue to contribute to the structured development and future growth of the territory in the years ahead.” Expressions of interest are open until June 30 for a new chairperson and up to five members to join the commission.

NT Eyes Looming Boom as Planning Commissioner Bows Out

Want to read more?

Sydney’s Next Big Cemetery Could Redraw Aerotropolis Boundary

Rockhampton Rises as Developers Bet Big on Regional Residential Growth

Queuing Out the Door: Co-Living Comes of Age

Inside Dreamworld’s Plans to Turn a Theme Park into a City

Engineering on Steroids: Sydney’s New Fish Market Completes

Fireside Chat | Inside Commercial & General with Jamie McClurg

Feasibility Essentials in Action

Early Contractor Involvement Explained

From Builder to Developer

Feds Funding Paves Way for 2200-Home Tassie Masterplan

Sydney’s Next Big Cemetery Could Redraw Aerotropolis Boundary

Way Cleared for Gallery Group’s Gold Coast Small-Lot Schemes

Bendigo Developer Challenges Water Authority Conditions

Free Webinar | The AI-Driven Developer

Property Development Masterclass Series

Long Lunch Series