Darwin International Airport will soon have the benefit of a $4.8 million freight and training hub, with investment from the Infrastructure Projects stream of the Building Better Regions Fund.
Country Liberals Senator for the Northern Territory, Nigel Scullion, and CLP Candidate for Solomon, Kathy Ganley, said the Darwin International Airport Freight and Training Hub project was a significant investment in building a stronger economy and driving jobs for the long term in the Territory.
“This is a fantastic outcome for Darwin and the Northern Territory with the Export Council of Australia and NT Airports receiving a $4.8 million investment towards the Darwin International Airport Freight and Education Hub,” Senator Scullion said.
“The project is expected to create 60 jobs during the construction phase, almost 120 jobs post-construction and hundreds more indirectly across the agriculture, tourism, construction, freight and logistics sectors by 2029.”
Mrs Ganley said the project will include the construction of an on-airport cold storage facility, a vapour heat treatment, and upgrades to airside apron and taxiway to accommodate larger aircrafts and a training/education facility to create opportunities for students to learn about export, freight and logistics for the primary industry sector.
“This project will have major flow-on benefits across the community as it will increase the number of tourists entering the region and would allow local agribusinesses to take advantage of the overseas demand for fresh Australian produce and seafood,” Mrs Ganley said.
Northern Territory Airports Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ian Kew, said, “Together with the Export Council of Australia, we are pleased to be receiving such significant funding support from the Federal Government.
“The Darwin International Airport Freight and Education Hub project represents a major investment of around $11 million. We are excited to be developing vital infrastructure which will grow both local and regional economies across Northern Australia.”
“When completed, the facility will enable the export of fresh quality agricultural produce to South East Asian markets, as well as directly to China via the new Donghai Airlines service to Shenzhen.”
The Export Council of Australia is the peak advocacy and industry development organisation in Australia focussing on export development and the maximisation of international trade benefits.
Export Council Australia Chair, Dianne Tipping, said, “We are very proud to be involved in the development of new infrastructure services for Darwin International Airport which will enhance the competitiveness of the Northern Territory in international markets.
“Additionally, the planned innovative training and education facility will create more opportunities for SMEs in the areas of export, freight and logistics.”
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, John McVeigh, said the project will deliver significant economic and social benefits to the community.
“Under round two of the Building Better Regions Fund – Infrastructure Projects stream, the Coalition Government is investing well over $200 million in 136 projects with a total leveraged project value of $459 million,” Dr McVeigh said.
“This means, in each successful community much anticipated local projects are receiving the funds needed to take a big idea and make it a reality.
“The Coalition has a plan for regional Australia and we are focused on getting it done. It’s a plan to create more jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities.
“A further $200 million was announced in the 2018-19 Budget for a third round of the Building Better Regions Fund – a clear indication of the Coalition Government’s commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.”
The second round of the Building Better Regions Fund, which includes the Community Investments stream and the Infrastructure Projects stream, is expected to create some 10,000 jobs from over 240 projects.
