Conference Agenda

SPEED NETWORKING

This speed networking session will allow delegates to introduce themselves and swap business cards with those they are seated with and other summit attendees.

MINISTERIAL ADDRESS

Darwin Port Masterplan

• Darwin Port's latest 30-year Master Plan sets a strategic framework to expand container, bulk mineral, and cruise operations at East Arm Wharf and Fort Hill Wharf.
• The port is the only major multimodal port located in Northern Australia and is strategically located as Australia's gateway to Asia and Asia's gateway to Australia.

Ryan Akers, General Manager, Strategy & Growth, Darwin Port

Northern Australia's Strategic Importance

• Explore the critical role Northern Australia plays in Australia's national security, including emerging Defence priorities, infrastructure investment and future opportunities.

Jimmy Kiploks, General Manager Defence, Security and Resilience, Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, NT

AAPowerLink Project

• SunCable is harnessing the Northern Territory's world-class solar resource to develop a renewable energy precinct delivering low-cost, firmed electricity at scale for industrial customers in Northern Australia and overseas.
• The project integrates solar generation, battery storage, and high voltage direct current transmission to provide multi-gigawatt, off-grid power.
• This project could support decarbonisation of existing industries, supply energy-intensive users like hyperscale data centres and future-fuel producers, and open new export pathways for Australia.
• SunCable is developing the project in segments, with plans to supply industrial customers in the Barkly Region from the late 2020s; Darwin from the early 2030s; and Singapore and Southeast Asia via cross-border electricity trade from the mid-2030s. 

Jett Street, Regional Director, NT Suncable

Northern Marine Complex

• The Northern Marine Complex (NMC) is located within a multi-user industrial estate in Darwin Harbour, supported by the Darwin Port and enabling marine, defence, oil and gas, resources, advanced manufacturing and logistics operations.
• Demand for maritime services is outpacing available maintenance capacity, creating a clear market gap. The Northern Marine Complex (NMC), already being delivered by the Northern Territory Government, is the infrastructure solution designed to meet this need.
• Taking shape as a purpose-built maritime precinct anchored by a 5,500 tonne capacity ship lift, the NMC will establish Darwin as the only full-service maritime maintenance and sustainment hub between Cairns and Perth, positioned at Australia’s northern gateway and closest port to Asia.

Stuart Knowles, Territory Coordinator, NT Government

Presentation by Conference Gold Sponsor ARKANCE

Territory Energy Link 

• The Northern Territory Government is investigating Territory Energy Link, a multi-user infrastructure corridor formerly known as the Tennant Creek to Darwin Infrastructure Corridor.
• The Territory Energy Link is part of the government’s commitment to rebuilding the Territory economy.
• The Territory Energy Link corridor will connect major energy projects in the Beetaloo Sub Basin with Middle Arm and other strategic infrastructure in Darwin.

Alan Chambers, General Manager Infrastructure NT, Department of Logistics and Infrastructure

Panel Discussion: Housing for the Northern Territory

• With demand for housing continuing to rise, this expert panel examines how government, industry and community organisations can work together to accelerate housing delivery across the Northern Territory.

Annie Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, NT Shelter
Luis Espinoza, Executive Director NT, Housing Industry Association
Ruth Palmer, Northern Territory Executive Director, Property Council of Australia

Overview of Regional Development in Alice Springs

• Hear about the opportunities, challenges and investments shaping the future of Alice Springs, and the region’s importance as a hub for industry, infrastructure and economic development.

Nicole Battle, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Alice Springs Town Council

Presentation by Gold Sponsor

Overview of Mining Developments in the Northern Territory

Ian Scrimgeour, Senior Executive Director, NT Geological Survey, Department of Mining and Energy

Infrastructure and Regional Development Priorities for the Beef Industry

• State of the NT's road network and how future economic development would be reliant upon strategic investment by Government in order to support industry.

Romy Carey, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association

Western Davenport Emerging Agricultural Precinct

• The Western Davenport Emerging Agricultural Precinct is a planned agricultural and horticultural hub located 250km north of Alice Springs.
• Aiming to develop up to 10,000 hectares of irrigated land, the project focuses on intensive high-value horticulture and requires significant community infrastructure to support its workforce.

Darwin's Civic Centre Development

• The Darwin Civic Centre Development is a 21-story commercial and community precinct under construction in the Darwin CBD. Scheduled for completion in early 2028, the project will feature a new city library, Council Chambers, community spaces, and 400 parking spots.

SPEED NETWORKING

This speed networking session will allow delegates to introduce themselves and swap business cards with those they are seated with and other summit attendees.

Outback Way NT: Plenty Highway

• The Outback Way is a 2720 km route connecting Laverton, Western Australia to Winton, Queensland via Alice Springs. Progressive upgrades to the Outback Way will ultimately deliver a fully sealed east–west transport link through Central Australia.
• In Central Australia, the Plenty Highway forms a key section of the Outback Way, with staged upgrades planned along the 499 km road. Current road conditions vary from unsealed, single lane seal and dual lane sealed of varying standards.

Mel Forbes, General Manager, Outback Highway Development Council

Next Decade of Growth in Northern Australia

• Gain insights into the major infrastructure, investment and development opportunities shaping the future of Northern Australia.

Neil MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility (NAIF)

Nolans Rare Earths Project

• The Nolans Rare Earths project will be the country's first fully integrated ore-to-oxide mine and refinery.
• It is one of the world's largest undeveloped Neodymium-Praseodymium (NdPr) deposits, designed to provide up to 4% of global magnet-rare earths demand.
• Latest updates.

Stewart Forrest, Head of Northern Territory and Indigenous Affairs, Arafura Rare Earths Limited

Beetaloo Basin Project Update

• The Beetaloo Basin project is a major, highly prospective shale gas development located roughly 500–600 km south of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
• Proponents aim to supply low-carbon domestic gas to the NT and East Coast of Australia, with large-scale visions for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports.

The Jervois Copper Project

• The Jervois Copper Project is considered the largest and most advanced copper development in the Northern Territory, utilising a combination of open-pit and underground operations to extract ore, with onsite processing.
• Updates on the project.

Stuart Highway Upgrades

• Massive upgrades are currently underway on the Northern Territory's Stuart Highway.
• Extending approximately 2,700 kilometres, it is a critical corridor for freight and tourism, connecting Darwin to Katherine and Alice Springs, and on to South Australia.
• Updates on the project.

Carpentaria Highway Upgrade

• The Australian Government and Northern Territory Government are delivering major upgrades to sections of the Carpentaria Highway.
• The Carpentaria Highway is a key access road to the Beetaloo Sub-basin, Borroloola and an important service route for the pastoral, tourism, agricultural and mining sectors.
• Key updates on the project.

RAAF Base Tindal Redevelopment – Stage 6

• The Stage 6 Redevelopment at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory is a multi-billion-dollar program designed to expand runway capacities, build new maintenance and squadron facilities, and support advanced aircraft fleets.
• Key updates on the project.

Tanami Expansion 2 (TE2) Project

• The Tanami Expansion 2 (TE2) Project is a massive underground infrastructure and shaft development at Newmont Corporation's Tanami gold mine in the Northern Territory, Australia.
• The $2.3 billion project pivots the remote operation from long-haul truck haulage to a highly efficient state-of-the-art crush-and-hoist system.

Powering the Territory's Future

• Hear about the opportunities and challenges shaping the Northern Territory's energy future, including renewables, gas, storage, transmission infrastructure and energy security.