The Northern Territory Government has appointed a commissioner for Infrastructure NT, who will work with Federal Government agencies, including Infrastructure Australia, to deliver nationally significant infrastructure projects.
Ms Louise McCormick has been chosen to fill the role of Commissioner for Infrastructure NT, continuing in the role following her appointment as Interim Commissioner in April 2021.
Ms McCormick is the former General Manager of the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Transport and Civil Services division, and is currently the Deputy Chair of Austroads and a Fellow of Engineers Australia chartered in Civil, Structural and Executive Engineering.
Ms McCormick will lead the development of a newTerritory Infrastructure Framework, including a refocussed Infrastructure Strategy and Infrastructure Plan, to create an infrastructure ecosystem to support economic growth.
Ms McCormick is already advocating for key enabling infrastructure projects such as the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, Darwin Regional Water Supply, including the Adelaide River Offstream Water Storage and the Beetaloo Sub-Basin development.
Ms McCormick said, “The Territory is the land of opportunity and infrastructure plays a key role in unlocking those opportunities. Focussing on strategic infrastructure planning and investment will pivot the Territory towards long-term sustainable economic and population growth.
“Working closely with potential investors, industry, the community and my colleagues across both the Northern Territory and Australian Governments will be essential to achieving the best outcomes for the Territory.”
Infrastructure Australia Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew AO, welcomed Louise McCormick’s appointment as Commissioner for Infrastructure NT.
“A long-term advocate for the Territory, Louise has engaged constructively with Infrastructure Australia for several years and was a key member of the Working Group that guided the development of our new Assessment Framework for major infrastructure projects,” Ms Madew said.
“As highlighted in the 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan, targeted infrastructure investment and reform in the Northern Territory will be absolutely key to developing new industries, enhancing connectivity and liveability and supporting the national economic recovery effort.
“Louise is exceptionally well-placed to lead Infrastructure NT during this critical time.”
The Northern Territory Government established the Infrastructure NT Commission in April 2021, along with the Territory Investment Commission and Major Projects Commission, to actively pursue investment and drive major projects in the Territory.
Infrastructure NT sits within the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, and Ms McCormick will have a direct channel to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.
The immediate work the Infrastructure Commissioner will undertake includes:
- Build on infrastructure work that Government has already done, and have a strategic approach to creating jobs and planning for the future
- Work in conjunction with the Major Project Commissioner to win projects
- Establish a strategically focussed professional team that will represent the Northern Territory in national discussions to ensure public infrastructure requirements have Commonwealth and broader community support
- Develop a new Territory Infrastructure Strategy incorporating agency Strategic Infrastructure Plans, to get the right infrastructure built at the right time, in the right place to support productivity, economic growth and regional sustainability
- Oversee business cases and concept plans for ‘shovel worthy’ government projects underpinned by appropriate community engagement and planning
- Review and define processes to assess and prioritise all major publicly funded infrastructure investment proposals
Queensland Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler, said, “Quality projects that enable economic development are important to the Northern Territory’s bounce back. We are well positioned to become Australia’s comeback capital.
“Louise McCormick is an asset to the Territory, with over 20 years’ experience in the transport and infrastructure sectors, and I congratulate Louise on her appointment to the role of Commissioner for Infrastructure NT.
“Louise is a multi-award winning Chartered Engineer in both civil and structural engineering, and is well placed to lead the Infrastructure NT Commission to work with the Australian Government and private sector, to secure and deliver critical infrastructure development in the Territory.
“We are a Government who is doing the work and making sure the Northern Territory is positioned to win projects and investment, which is in the interests of Territorians, jobs, business and our future.”
