CRCNA’s Investment Derisking and Supply Chain Coordination Program

Project locations: Northern Australia

Project partners: CRC for Developing Northern Australia ; James Cook University

Project summary and impacts

The CRCNA’s Investment Derisking and Supply Chain Coordination Program delivered six years of strategic research, policy development and collaboration to improve investment conditions and support sustainable economic development across northern Australia.

Led by CRCNA Chief Scientist Professor Allan Dale, the two-phase program examined the policy, regulatory, infrastructure and planning barriers affecting agricultural and other development opportunities across northern Australia.

The first phase established foundational situational analyses in partnership with governments across Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia, identifying opportunities to improve investment decision-making and regional development planning.

The second phase provided strategic research leadership, coordination and synthesis to support the CRCNA’s targeted de-risking and supply chain development investments. This included translating research findings into practical policy recommendations, informing government reforms and identifying opportunities to strengthen infrastructure investment and regional development.

Key project achievements

The program delivered significant outcomes across research investment, government policy and regional development, including:

• Research and investment: Leveraged additional investment in regional planning, development assessment and environmental reform research through the National Environmental Science Program (NESP), James Cook University and the Australian Government.
• Agricultural development: Supported planning and investment opportunities in the Gilbert catchment and Douglas Daly, while establishing research foundations for further CRCNA investments in aquaculture, water security and farmer capacity building.
• Infrastructure investment: Contributed to the planning and governance supporting major Cape York road infrastructure investments, including Stage 2 of the Cape York Infrastructure Package and the Jardine River Bridge.
• Water security: Informed Queensland’s water infrastructure investment priorities through the Bradfield Regional Assessment and Development Panel, supporting more regionally appropriate water infrastructure solutions.
• Environmental reform: Contributed scientific evidence and policy advice to reforms of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, including regional planning, development assessment and environmental offsets.
• National policy: Informed the Australian Government’s northern Australia Action Plan and Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) Review, particularly regarding research investment, infrastructure planning and place-based development.
• Regional connectivity: Advanced policy discussions on a major enabling infrastructure package to improve transport connectivity and economic integration across northern Australia.
• Industry collaboration: Supported the Developing Northern Australia Conference from 2020 to 2025, strengthening connections between research, government and industry.

Project impact

The program delivered an estimated $5.79 million in additional research investment, economic activity and investment influence, with an assessed return of at least 7.5 times the CRCNA’s $869,351 cash investment.

Beyond these quantified outcomes, the program contributed to government policy reform, regional planning and infrastructure investment decisions across northern Australia.

Its research findings and policy recommendations will continue to inform regional development assessment, environmental reforms and investment planning, particularly in the Pilbara, Douglas Daly and Gilbert River regions.