NAIF project: First look inside Darwin’s new $10m export facility

DURING another sweltering day in Darwin, Mario Messina was shivering through -22C as he stacked vegies at the airport’s new cold storage and freight facility

• NAIF to undergo reform as part of Budget plan
• Almost half of NAIF funding has gone to NT projects

DURING another sweltering day in Darwin, Mario Messina was shivering through -22C as he stacked vegies at the airport’s new cold storage and freight facility.

Mario Messina stacks vegies at Darwin Airport’s new cold storage facility. The huge export facility, which received a $15m NAIF loan, is the first of its kind in Darwin. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

The huge export facility, which received a $15m NAIF loan, is the first of its kind in Darwin and will provide opportunities for more direct fresh food exports to Asia and beyond, according to Pak Fresh Handling director Robert Hall.

“We did our first container of mangoes into Singapore last week, the first one in 14 years,” he said.

“We’re definitely expanding on other products through the seafood range from prawns to fish to mackerel and mud crabs into Singapore, Hong Kong, et cetera.

“That’s all what we’re looking at for 2021.”

Workers unloading a container at the airport’s new cold storage and freight facility. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

Pak Fresh Handling director Robert Hall. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

G&R Wills Wholesalers manager Ian Jesson with Assistant Minister for Northern Australia Michelle Landry. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

A new cold storage, freight and training facility at Darwin airport will provide opportunities for direct fresh food exports to Asia and beyond. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford