Territory-wide chance to snag $100m in airport works

The Territory’s Airport Development Group is holding an industry briefing ahead of $100m in airport upgrades. Read what’s planned and when they’re meeting.

Airport Development Group will hold industry-wide briefing as it prepares to tender for up to $100m in works to upgrade infrastructure at its three Territory facilities over the next 18 months.

Packages ranging from between $10,000 and $20 million will be open for tender for upgrades at Darwin, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek airports.

A statement released by ADG said the upgrades were intended to improve the “tourism” experience at the three main airports, create “operational efficiencies” and provide airline partners with better facilities.

The industry briefing is planned for August 31 and ADG will share key information about the projects that will be available for tender and the procurement process.

Passenger facilities will be improved at Airport Development Group’s three-main airports.

ADG representatives will provide first hand access to project managers, procurement specialists and the company’s executive team to hear about the various packages available.

ADG chief executive Tony Edmondstone said the infrastructure spend reflected ADG’s confidence in the future of the NT’s tourism industry.

He said it was committed to ensuring airport infrastructure met current and future needs of travellers and airline partners.

“Darwin International Airport is Australia’s northern gateway,” Mr Edmondstone said.

“It connects almost two-million domestic and international passengers to the Northern Territory.

“ADG has recently invested $11m in new infrastructure including check-in kiosks, bag drop facilities, services infrastructure, construction of facilities, food and beverage outlets and offerings in the terminal, landscaping and road infrastructure.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrives at Tennant Creek airport in July 2018. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

“New tenders for a broad range of projects … will be tendered in this financial year, and we are excited to build new relationships with strategic local partners to deliver this significant investment.”

ADG head of terminal Melanie Cobbin said the briefing would provide all information required for potential tenderers including how packages would be advertised, how-to-respond and details about the assessment process.

She said the spend reflected ADG’s confidence in the Territory’s tourism sector.

“Airport Development Group has been one of the main drivers of the NT economy and that’s evidence in our confidence in NT tourism,” Ms Cobbin said.

Tourist and passengers arrive at Alice Springs airport in January.

“The industry as a whole post-covid saw a huge influx in domestic travel. We’re now starting to see more normal travel patterns and international travel both arrivals and departures is yet to return to pre-Covid levels”.

ADG did not release individual spending breakdowns for each airport but indicated projects were planned for Tennant Creek ahead of a potential resources boom in the area.

Tennant Creek currently has 170 landings a month.

ADG is currently spending about $30m upgrading Darwin Airport’s hotel precinct including one of the NT’s largest water parks.

The briefing will be held on Thursday, August 31 from 10am at the Tindal Room at Darwin International Airport. RSVP by 3pm.