Federal MP Luke Gosling has warned Territory Labor it has two years to build the shiplift

Darwin’s Federal Labor member says the NT government has just two years to build the $515m shiplift project. Read why he’s pushing.

The Territory government has been forced to deflect friendly fire from a Federal Labor colleague on a warpath about delays building Darwin’s shiplift

Solomon MP Luke Gosling said the NT government had two years from now to build the shiplift, in line with the implementation of the commonwealth’s Plan Galileo to grow and maintain Australia’s navy fleet.

The NT government promised to build the shiplift seven years ago and in September joint venture partners Clough and BMD signed final contracts to deliver the construction program.

Mr Gosling’s comments came at a signing ceremony in Darwin on Monday morning confirming Norsta Maritime had been awarded the Regional Maintenance Provider - North contract.

Solomon MP Luke Gosling wants Darwin shiplift built.

“It’s really important that the shiplift gets built as soon as possible,” Mr Gosling said.

“As we’ve heard, there have been some delays starting it but hopefully they’ll be worked through now and construction can start.

“Every month that goes by where we haven’t got an ability to lift ships out of the water just means that we aren’t able to transition out to East Arm and make this precinct a reality. We’re looking at about two years to be able to do that.”

He said Navy could get by using shiplift infrastructure already at HMAS Coonawarra but this will have a limited life.

“Two years forward that shiplift needs to be up and running and we need to be creating that precinct out at East Arm that will sustain not only Australian vessels, but those of our partners as well. So that’s an incredibly exciting future and we all want the shiplift up as soon as possible.”

At a media event in September, Treasurer Eva Lawler said dredging work on the project would begin later that month.

An artist’s impression of the Darwin Shiplift

A list provided to media by the NT government on Monday said contractor work since September 8 included locating underground utilities, above ground surveys, early works to establish site, designing and installing temporary works for the site and adjacent areas and establishing their on-site office.

No reference was made to whether dredging had taken place since Ms Lawler said it would.

She said the project should be completed by 2025.

Mr Gosling also took aim at Darwin Port’s 99-year-lease, saying Chinese company Landbridge should move to commercially end the arrangement.

“I think the story of the future of Darwin port is not yet settled,” he said.

“Like any commercial arrangement there’s an ability for a willing buyer to make an offer on that port. If we have a willing seller in Landbridge, then they’ll do a commercial deal and to me that is a good way forward but that’s up to both of those parties.

“There are Australian companies backed by super funds that are very interested in that asset and would allow us to compete this precinct in a more thorough way, in a more holistic way. The Port of Darwin into the future is going to become even more important.”

Representatives at Darwin Port maintain the lease is not up for negotiation.