Milestone appointment hailed by leading business figure

The prospects of the NT securing more nationally significant infrastructure projects is being given more clout by the establishment of a Northern Territory Infrastructure Commission.

• Gunner to appoint two new commissioners to supercharge private investment, help grow NT economy to $40bn by 2030

THE prospects of the Territory securing more nationally significant infrastructure projects is being given more clout with the establishment of a Northern Territory Infrastructure Commission.

Infrastructure Australia chief executive Romilly Madew has hailed the news as an exciting milestone for the Territory.

“As one of the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commissioners, my colleagues and I on the Commission highlighted the benefit a NT infrastructure body, representing all of the Territory’s infrastructure interests nationally, would have in supporting development and growth,” she said.

MORE TOP NEWS

All passenger flights from India to Australia, including repatriation flights, ‘paused’ until May 15

65,000-tonne UK warship expected to visit Darwin

Mother relives moment she heard drug-driver cause crash that killed ‘the light of my life’

Infrastructure Australia chief executive Romilly Madew. Picture: The Australian / Renee Nowytarger

The Infrastructure NT Commissioner will have a direct channel to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics and give effect to the recommendations in the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission report. The role starts today, with Louise McCormick, currently the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics transport and civil services general manager, filling the interim appointment. A permanent Infrastructure Commissioner will be recruited.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said an infrastructure body and Infrastructure Commissioner would ensure the Territory has more expertise, winning projects.

“A key aspect of the new body will be to work with Infrastructure Australia to deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects, and have a seat at the table with other Australian jurisdictions when it comes to bidding for infrastructure projects,” Ms Lawler said.

The immediate work of the new Commissioner includes:

• Build on infrastructure work that government has already done.

• Work with the Major Project Commissioner to win projects.

• Develop a new Territory Infrastructure Strategy incorporating agency Strategic Infrastructure Plans, to get the right infrastructure built at the right time and place to support productivity, economic growth and regional sustainability;

• Oversee business cases and concept plans for ‘shovel worthy’ government projects underpinned by appropriate community engagement and planning through the regional recovery committees.

• Review and define processes to assess and prioritise all major publicly funded infrastructure investment proposals.