Prioritising, de-risking and brokering agricultural development in the Northern Territory

Project locations: Darwin, Perth, Kununurra

Project partners: NAJA Business Consulting Services

Project summary and impacts

The Northern Territory has substantial potential to expand agricultural and aquaculture production, supported by extensive land and water resources, proximity to Asian markets and opportunities for regional economic development. However, investment and development have often been constrained by complex approval processes, land tenure arrangements, infrastructure limitations and challenges associated with securing investment and building stakeholder confidence.

This project investigated the key barriers affecting agricultural and aquaculture development across the Northern Territory and identified practical pathways to reduce investment risk and improve development outcomes. Delivered by NAJA Business Consulting Services in partnership with the CRCNA and Northern Territory Government, the project combined literature reviews, stakeholder interviews, workshops, surveys and detailed case studies to examine the factors influencing new agricultural investment.

The research identified a range of common challenges, including complex land tenure and planning arrangements, uncertainty around water resources, regulatory and approval processes, Native Title considerations, logistics and infrastructure constraints and limited telecommunications services. Extensive consultation with industry, government, Aboriginal organisations and project proponents highlighted the need for more coordinated and efficient approaches to agricultural development.

Through analysis of 31 potential development opportunities and detailed case studies spanning broadacre cropping, aquaculture, livestock and agricultural processing, the project developed recommendations to support sustainable growth. These included improving land and water planning, streamlining approval pathways, facilitating investment, strengthening infrastructure planning, supporting Indigenous agricultural development and building greater trust and collaboration between governments, industry and Traditional Owners.

The project provides a framework for enabling future agricultural investment in the Northern Territory while balancing economic, environmental and social outcomes. Its findings continue to inform discussions around how governments, industry and communities can work together to unlock development opportunities, improve investor confidence and create long-term employment and economic benefits across northern Australia.