Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission drops interim report, recommends NT Government focus on 15 key areas

THE NT and Australian governments should look into possibly building an ‘electricity highway’ between Darwin and Alice Springs as part of the Territory’s post-pandemic bounce back, according to the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission.

Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission co-chairman Andrew Liveris. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

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THE NT and Australian governments should look into possibly building an “electricity highway” between Darwin and Alice Springs as part of the Territory’s post-pandemic bounce back, according to the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission.

The TERC, led by gas baron Andrew Liveris and former Chief Minister Paul Henderson, has today released its interim report, outlining 15 head recommendations on how to help the NT economy grow in the medium term.

This includes a focus on energy, via both renewables and gas, resources, agribusiness, water, infrastructure, tourism, digital industry and regulatory and administrative reform as broad subjects.

In terms of renewables, the report says the “fast-growing sector” has considerable potential for further significant growth in the Territory and investment in enabling infrastructure is required to achieve that potential.

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“To help understand the economics and opportunities of the renewable sector, the Commission recommends the Territory and Australian governments jointly undertake a study into an electricity highway based on high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission links between Darwin and Alice Springs,” the report stated.

“The scope of this study should consider the potential for a design that enables multiple projects that both supply and make use of renewable electricity up and down the spine of the Northern Territory, potentially supporting the creation of renewable energy zones.

“The study should also assess the potential for a link from the Territory to the National Electricity Grid to facilitate the connection of large-scale renewables generation that would supply east coast power demand.”

The TERC has also recommended the Territory Government “urgently purse” the target of having the “most efficient approval processes in Australia for all Territory business licensing and approvals to start and grow a business”, with an initial focus on 30-day maximum approval time frames for retail, hospitality and construction for straightforward applications.

In order to do this the TERC is asking the government to get the chief executives of relevant agencies to provide a “consolidated options paper to the Commission by end August 2020” on how those outcomes can be delivered.

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The commission’s final report is due to be handed down in November.

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