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Budget 2021: Planning for our Future

Office of the Chief Minister

Budget 2021 invests in breaking new ground – in the planning, design and delivery of new long-term land releases across the Territory.

The Northern Territory Government is working to achieve a $40 billion economy by 2030 with $1.6 billion in infrastructure investment to fuel growth and jobs.

That’s why Budget 2021 invests $15 million over the next five years in planning works for population and industry growth.

Today, the Territory Government has released the Investing in the Territory’s Future framework, which outlines the Territory’s strategic land development plans to deliver on the Territory’s economic recovery.

This includes making more than 5000 new residential lots available for the creation of two new suburbs near Palmerston – Holtze and Kowandi. 

Planning for future growth and a bigger Territory, the Government is investigating key land development strategies that support both economic development, as well as population growth across all urban centres and regional areas.

We are investing $1.1 million this year to further work on land use planning, land investigations, concept planning and the design of enabling infrastructure. Stage one headworks infrastructure is planned to commence in late 2022-23 with the first stage of titles expected to be readily available from 2026 for when they are needed.

Infrastructure is important and we are investing in areas that require servicing to support growth. 

The Territory is already home to the fastest planning and development processes in Australia. However, we are constantly working to simplify and streamline the Territory’s land development process to make it even more efficient, to ensure we continue to lead the nation in this space.

This includes working with lead industry bodies on the delivery of a practical and efficient system for the bonding of incomplete developer works to enable the early release of land titles. Team Territory co-chair Dick Guit, will work with business and the public service to get this work done by August 2021. 

Delivering on our Territory’s Future framework, outlines a strategic plan for each area across the Territory on how Government and industry will make best use of the land.

Land has been identified all over the Territory, not just the Top End – including in the Barkly, Alice Springs, and outside our major regional centres, we will start conducting audits of available land to plan for the future – in places like Elliot, Mataranka and Borroloola.

The plan also includes:

  • Undertaking strategic assessment to prioritise planning and developments of sustainable land to support future growth in key regional areas, by the second quarter of 2021;
  • Progressing regional land development development strategies to enable strategic infrastructure to meet land supply targets and NT population growth forecasts, by the end of 2021;
  • Release of land and affordable residential housing development. This includes making an additional 5,400 residential lots available, when needed, for the creation of two new suburbs in Palmerston – Holtze and Kowandi;
  • Identifying liveability key performance criteria for individual users and buildings alike, to establish an adaptable, measurable and a clear rationale for application, to be finalised by the end of 2021; and 
  • Identifying key urban developments criteria to be written directly into tender briefs, to be completed by the second quarter of 2021. 

 

Quotes attributed to Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:

“The Territory is the comeback capital and as we keep leading the comeback and creating more jobs for locals we will also make sure there are more places for people to live and share our bright future.

“By boosting the number of lots in the pipeline for residential development, we can support responsible growth over the next decade and beyond, and get ahead of any growing pains.

“We are planning for the next residential land release in Holtze and Kowandi so land is available when it is needed. Holtze and Kowandi will provide over 5000 dwellings near the city of Palmerston. Leveraging Palmerston’s existing commercial and social infrastructure, Holtze and Kowandi will create a diverse urban environment that will support our growing population.

“Right now there is enough land available to meet demand for government and private residential developments. But that won’t be the case forever. We need to do the work now so that for the years ahead – the next five, 10, 20 years – the land is ready for development whenever and wherever it is needed.”

 

Quotes attributed to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler:

“The Territory Labor Government is planning for the future of the Northern Territory.

“Reviewing our strategic land and options on where we can develop our land for residential and investment needs will further cementing us as the comeback capital of Australia.

“We continue to plan for and invest in sustainable precincts across the Territory that will enable existing and new industries to grow, providing long-term job opportunities that support our aim to create a $40 billion economy by 2030.

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