Supporting landholder capacity for quality agricultural development applications across northern Australia

Project locations: Northern Australia

Project partners: NT Farmers Association Inc ; NT Cattlemen's Association Inc ; Ord River District Co-Operative Limited (OrdCo) ; Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen's Association Inc ; Agforce Queensland Farmers Ltd ; Queensland Farmers' Federation Ltd

Project summary and impacts

Building on the CRCNA’s earlier de-risking work in the Northern Territory, this project aimed to address a recognised need to enhance the readiness of  landholders, industry bodies and development services for future development and investment.

The project has been completed and now provides practical tools and guidance to help landholders navigate the complex process of agricultural development approvals.

Led by NT Farmers Association and funded by CRCNA, the three-year project worked with landholders, consultants, industry bodies and government agencies across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. The project identified key barriers that often delay or prevent agricultural development, including complex regulatory frameworks, fragmented information sources and limited access to planning and technical resources.

Through consultation and co-design with industry stakeholders, the project developed a suite of resources to improve development readiness and support stronger agricultural development applications. These include a business planning template, a simplified guide to accessing spatial data through Queensland Globe, directories of relevant legislation and stakeholders across jurisdictions, and a register of consultants and service providers.

Together, these outputs provide practical support for landholders and their advisors, helping to improve the quality of development proposals and support future agricultural investment across northern Australia.