The Northern Territory Government is investigating a multi-user, multi-asset infrastructure corridor as part of its commitment to rebuilding the Territory economy.
It is called Territory Energy Link and was formerly known as the Tennant Creek to Darwin Infrastructure Corridor.
The Territory Energy Link corridor will run for around 670km from near Elliott to the proposed Middle Arm Precinct in Darwin. It will be approximately 130m wide and support buried services including gas, water, optical fibre, hydrogen gas and other services in the future. The corridor will connect major energy projects in the Beetaloo Sub Basin to Middle Arm Precinct and other strategic infrastructure in Darwin.
The Territory Energy Link project is now entering a feasibility phase. A prefeasibility study completed in 2024 identified a preliminary alignment which takes into consideration connections to existing infrastructure, avoids known constraints, and minimises environmental and cultural impacts. A 530m wide study corridor will be investigated through this stage to determine the final 130m wide corridor alignment.
The proposed Territory Energy Link will deliver:
- Results for the Northern Territory economy by enhancing exports, value-added activities and supply chain operations.
- Accelerated access to land, including tenure and approvals.
- Confidence for industry that the proposed alignment satisfies cultural, environmental, techno-economic, legal and legislative considerations.
- Certainty, efficiency and fairness in long-term infrastructure planning and a clear governance model.
- Future energy security for the Territory, Australia and the region.
- Certainty for industry by providing connecting infrastructure to transport gas from the Beetaloo Basin to Middle Arm.
- Sustained revenue for the NT Government through maximising opportunities generated by Territory Energy Link.
The project has 4 project stages, and we are in stage 2. The stages include:
Stage 1 of the project included a prefeasibility desktop study to investigate the most suitable width, length, uses and proposed alignment of the corridor. The study identified an alignment for a 530m wide corridor study area for a 130m wide corridor. It also analysed engineering, social, environmental and infrastructure factors including ground conditions, rivers, habitat, vegetation, land use, cultural heritage, protected sacred sites, cost and existing infrastructure, such as buildings and roads.
The next feasibility stage will inform the final alignment of Territory Energy Link which will be 130m wide and approximately 670km long. This stage will involve on-ground investigations, geotechnical surveys, and the identification of sacred sites. Together with consultation outcomes, these activities will inform a detailed business case to confirm the project’s feasibility and inform the final alignment for Territory Energy Link.
As part of the planning process, the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure is consulting with landowners, land occupiers and Traditional Owners about the proposed Territory Energy Link infrastructure corridor.
The final alignment of Territory Energy Link is subject to engagement with all relevant landowners, occupiers and Traditional Owners and further detailed investigations, including a sacred site survey.
Throughout the project, the department will consult with stakeholders to ensure that important information is shared and that stakeholder views are heard and considered. This includes industry representatives and members of the community.
If you are a landowner or occupier, project stakeholder or community member and would like to get in touch, email territoryenergylink.dli@nt.gov.au.
For more information about Territory Energy Link, email territoryenergylink.dli@nt.gov.au or free call 1800 921 301.
To register to receive project updates, email territoryenergylink.dli@nt.gov.au.
Territory Energy Link preliminary alignment map
Disclaimer: this map is for illustrative purposes only. The corridor alignment and planning area is subject to further detailed technical investigations and consultation.