Humpty Doo Barramundi lodges development plans for $9 million expansion at Channel Island

AUSTRALIA’S largest barramundi farm is on its way to expanding, lodging development plans to build a new 2.2ha hatchery on Channel Island

AUSTRALIA’S largest barramundi farm is on its way to expanding, lodging development plans to build a new 2.2ha hatchery on Channel Island.

Humpty Doo Barramundi Farm, owned and operated by the NT’s Richards family, was granted the Territory’s first Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility loan in 2018 and is expected to tap into the funding to build its new hatchery.

Chief executive Dan Richards said construction of the facility, which could take up to a year, was expected to cost about $9 million.

MORE TOP NT NEWS

Businesses ‘may have to shut’ after Cavenagh St carpark closure

NT should have early access to trans-Tasman bubble: NZ Deputy PM

Humpty Doo Barramundi owner-operators Dan Richards (left) and his dad Bob Richards, pictured at their family business outside Darwin

There will be 30 jobs created during construction of Phase 1 and about 10 ongoing positions to run the hatchery.

According to development plans, the company will develop the barramundi hatchery and breeding farm on land about 2km off Channel Island Rd.

The company is applying for an exceptional development permit because the land is currently zoned conservation, though 60 per cent of the project’s footprint is on land that has been previously cleared for construction of a now disused prawn farm.

MORE TOP NT NEWS

Popular top footy player identified as cyclist killed in rural area crash

Contested Dundee development to get Minister’s tick or flick soon

GleNTi back from the dead with Greek festival to take place over Darwin Show weekend

Under Stage 1 of the plans 1.6ha of scrub would need to be cleared and the rest in Stage 2.

Documents state the proposed clearing will not directly impact “mangrove or rainforest habitats that have important conservation values” and will pose a “low risk” to biodiversity.

“The proposed farm will aid in the realisation of the economic potential of uses associated with Darwin Harbour,” development plans stated.

Mr Richards said the farm’s ability to establish a hatchery would help underpin its selective breeding program and allow it to “take control” and ensure it had the best quality barra for farming.

“Basically what we are working to do is to build the facility to get our own hatchery operating and in the future give ourselves room to grow,” he said.

NEW OFFER: Get amazing Sennheiser earbuds (RRP: $499) with NT News subscription deal

Mr Richards said about 60 per cent of the barra Australians ate was imported and the company hoped to reduce the reliance on overseas stocks.

Humpty Doo Barramundi’s NAIF loan is worth up to $7.18 million.

The development application is open for public submissions until midnight on June 26.