Cut the red tape, unlock the Territory’s potential

The Northern Territory is standing at a crucial crossroads. We can either allow bureaucracy and blunt policy settings to continue stifling growth, or we can choose a smarter, more responsive path. The NT Property Council’s Ruth Palmer explains why.

We are not just commentators on the sidelines; we are the people delivering homes, building communities, and investing billions into the Territory economy.

The Northern Territory is standing at a crucial crossroads.

We can either allow bureaucracy and blunt policy settings to continue stifling growth, or we can choose a smarter, more responsive path — one that unleashes the potential of our industry, delivers homes for Territorians, and secures economic confidence in our future.

Our message to government is clear: work with us, not against us. We are not just commentators on the sidelines; we are the people delivering homes, building communities, and investing billions into the Territory economy.

Right now, our industry faces three pressing choke points that, if left unaddressed, will strangle progress.

First, we must prioritise dual occupancy and brownfield development.

We do not have the luxury of time or endless land releases sprawling into the horizon. The Territory’s advantage lies in its existing urban footprints.

Brownfield sites already have essential services in place — power, water, roads.

Unlocking these areas for dual occupancy developments is not just logical, it’s essential. It’s faster, more cost-effective, and supports the critical mass our activity centres desperately need to thrive.

But what’s holding us back?

Red tape. Lengthy rezoning processes. Slow, complex approvals. Landowners and developers are ready to build, but bureaucracy is grinding momentum to a halt.

We’ve called on the Minister and the Approvals Taskforce to cut through this — to prioritise brownfield sites, streamline processes, and deliver clear guidelines that will give certainty to investors and get homes on the ground, fast.

Second, Section J needs an urgent Territory lens.

We are committed to improving building performance and energy efficiency — make no mistake about that. But a one-size-fits-all policy that ignores our unique climate and market conditions is not the answer. What works in the southern states does not automatically work here.

The Territory is already grappling with sky-high construction costs, labour shortages, and patchy market demand. Blanket policies that add costs without clear, evidence-based benefits for our environment risk pushing developments beyond the point of viability.

We need a tailored, consultative approach. Territory-specific flexibility. Real-world pilot projects. Practical, staged transitions — not theory-driven mandates. Industry wants to be part of the solution, not a casualty of it.

Third, we must restore faith in our Area Plans.

Area Plans are supposed to be the road map for our future — giving clarity to developers, investors, and the community. But when government actions contradict these plans, we risk turning them into little more than shelf documents gathering dust.

The recent heritage overlay on the Esplanade is a perfect example of this inconsistency.

It sends a dangerous signal: that even when you play by the rules, the goalposts can shift at any moment. That uncertainty drives away investment and undermines community trust.

We’ve called for a full Territory-wide review of our Area Plans, starting with the Central Darwin Area Plan.

These plans must be the first checkpoint in project assessment — if you’re aligned, you should proceed without delay. No bureaucratic hurdles. No surprises.

The Property Council is not in the business of making empty statements. We are fighting for solutions.

We will continue to be a loud and unrelenting voice for the industry, for Territorians, and for the economic future of the NT. We know what works because we live it every day. Our members are the boots on the ground, navigating the realities of cost pressures, supply constraints, and policy barriers.

The Territory has immense potential, but we can no longer afford to be weighed down by outdated processes and disconnected policies.

The path forward is clear — cut the red tape, listen to the experts, and let’s get the Territory moving.

Ruth Palmer is the executive director of the Property Council of Australia NT Division