Transforming Middle Arm into a globally competitive, sustainable industrial precinct has taken the next step towards realisation through project referral to the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NTEPA).
The Northern Territory Government is working to deliver a precinct that will have the ability to cater for a range of industries, including a low emission petrochemicals, renewable hydrogen, carbon capture storage and minerals processing hub, opening the door for significant future-focused local industry development.
Referral of this project to the NTEPA is the first stage of an assessment process under the Environment Protection Act that will occur over a number of years to ensure the project reduces, mitigates and offsets potential environmental impacts.
Middle Arm is already home to a globally significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub, with the Santos-led Darwin LNG and INPEX-led Ichthys LNG projects supplying over 10 per cent of Japan’s and Taiwan’s annual global LNG imports, and generating more than 20 per cent of our gross state product.
The Territory’s abundant natural resources are the launch pad for expanding beyond our gas-export expertise to establish sustainable gas-based processing and manufacturing, a key component of the Northern Territory’s Gas Strategy vision to develop a world-class gas production, manufacturing and services hub by 2030.
With increasing demand products created from sustainable manufacturing and supply chains, a dedicated low-emission precinct presents significant growth opportunities for the Territory.
Research shows seven times the number of local jobs are created when gas is used as a low emissions feedstock for manufacturing, when compared with exporting alone.
Master planning at-scale will continue to accelerate precinct co-creation with industry and the Australian Government. Master planning is optimising development pathways and shared infrastructure investment staging to maximise integration efficiencies and to reduce capital-intensive duplication of resources.
Kittyhawk Estate, one of two estates proposed in the precinct, has completed the first phase of development in February, seeing completion of estate entrance roads.
View civil development progress at Kittyhawk Estate on YouTube.
The development of Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct presents an attractive environment where industry can invest today knowing the Territory is committed to future-proofing industry development aligned with our transition to a zero emissions future.
Find out more about the Territory Gas Strategy.