Darwin’s $400 million ship lift funds finally approved. Now let’s get it done

IT’S been a long time coming. But finally, Darwin’s $400 million ship lift has the funding it needs to become a reality

An artist’s impression of the proposed $400 million ship lift at East Arm. Picture: Supplied

• FEDERAL Government approves funding for $400m Darwin ship lift
• DARWIN ship lift: All you need to know about the project
• THE time for talking is over. Just build us a bloody ship lift

IT’S been a long time coming.

Finally, the Darwin ship lift has the funding it needs to become a reality. It has been close to five years since the project was mooted by the then-CLP government.

Back then, it was going to cost $100 million. It turned out the actual cost would be much higher, leading to years of negotiations with the Federal Government over an arrangement which would see the facility built without sending the Territory completely broke.

It is fantastic news the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility has agreed to a low interest loan for $300 million needed.

The NAIF has copped a lot of criticism for doing a whole lot of nothing, but in recent months the Territory has done well out of it, with final sign off reached on a number of projects, including a $150 million loan for a major NT Airports expansion.

The Territory doesn’t have a lot of friends in Canberra, but Senator Matt Canavan has always been an ally, fighting for the north to achieve its potential.

We have long been promised this ship lift will be a game changer for the Territory.

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It will mean Darwin will be the port of choice for military and commercial vessels which need maintenance.

We know the number of defence personnel has been steadily falling for the past decade. We need everything we can to convince the Commonwealth of our strategic importance.

Let’s get it done.