‘This is dragging on way too long’: Businesses express fear over delays to $400m East Arm ship lift

The Northern Territory government says it expects East Arm ship lift facility to be operational by 2024, despite mounting concerns about project delays.

THE Northern Territory government says it expects the $400m East Arm ship lift facility to be operational by 2024, despite mounting concerns about delays in the progressing of the project.

The NT News has been contacted by several business sources airing their concerns.

It is understood tenderers are becoming frustrated with government delays and others have suggested there are land issues involved.

“This is dragging on way too long,” one businessman told the NT News.

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“The ship lift goes all the way back to 2015 and time is moving on and so is the need for the facility.

“Cairns has just been given a bucket load of money by the federal government to improve its marine and ship lift facilities. “They are serious competitors for all the navy work and this ship lift needs to get cracking.”

The government has played down industry concerns about the project dragging the chain. “The ship lift project will exploit Darwin’s strategic importance as Australia’s northern most port and create a $260 million per year industry which will create 400 direct jobs,” a spokesman for Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

An artist's impression of Darwin's planned ship lift at East Arm. Picture: Supplied

“The project continues to progress and is not the subject of land disputes. We expect the facility to be operational by 2024, as planned.” Concerns have also been expressed about Australian Defence’s changing needs because of political tensions with China. “It’s been close to six years since the ship lift was proposed and we know navy has been in Darwin looking at its strategic needs,” another businessman told the NT News.

“Our concern is that East Arm may no longer be what they need.” NT companies Sitzler and Territoria Civil were announced last November as among five companies short-listed as part of the expression of interest process.

The three interstate companies short-listed are WA based Clough Projects Australia Pty Ltd; McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd and Watpac Construction Pty Ltd.