De-risking phase II - NT Sustainable precincts : Multi- criteria analysis to identify a case study area - Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia

Summary

Based on the findings of the CRCNA’s initial De-risking, brokering and prioritising agriculture development in the Northern Territory project, the CRCNA partnered with the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) to deliver a second phase of this work seeking to improve planning and assessment practice for sustainable development precincts across the Northern Territory (NT).

The NT has long been known for its mosaic agriculture model of development, and as such, DITT has worked closely with the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS) to identify and prepare to progress precinct opportunities within the NT.

Eleven precinct areas were identified based on technical studies, including soil and water, access to logistics routes and other supporting criteria. This report outlines the multicriteria analysis-based (MCA) approach.

Each precinct area was evaluated based on the objectives set out in the Best Practice Sustainable Precinct Planning and Development Framework. Flowing from this MCA-based approach, one precinct has been identified as the focal area to progress a case study that can support improved practice in planning new priority agricultural
development areas and improved development assessment within those spaces.

DITT aims to apply its emerging Planning and Development Framework in progressing priority activities within this focus precinct.

De Risking Phase II- NT Through Sustainable Development Precincts

De-risking Phase II: NT Through Sustainable Development Precincts strengthened regional planning approaches to support sustainable agricultural development across the Northern Territory. Building on the earlier CRCNA de-risking research, the project used the Douglas Daly region as a real-world case study to develop practical frameworks for coordinated land use planning, infrastructure investment and agricultural growth. Delivered through the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with CRCNA, government agencies, industry and research partners, the project focused on balancing economic development opportunities with environmental protection and cultural values. Through extensive stakeholder engagement, the project identified best-practice approaches for sustainable development precincts that improve investment certainty while supporting long-term regional resilience. The project developed recommendations for a regional economic development planning framework that could guide future agricultural precinct planning across northern Australia. Key focus areas included land and water resource planning, infrastructure coordination, regulatory reform, investment readiness and stronger collaboration with Traditional Owners and local communities. The project also delivered significant practical outcomes. It directly supported the establishment and continuation of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Industry Development team, strengthened collaboration across NT Government agencies and helped establish the Douglas Daly Research Farm Advisory Committee to guide future research priorities and on-farm innovation. The work is expected to support future regional planning reforms, improve infrastructure investment coordination and drive long-term agricultural growth in the Douglas Daly region and beyond. Project modelling identified substantial economic opportunities through agricultural diversification, with even modest crop shifts projected to significantly increase regional gross value of production over the next decade. This work leverages previous research undertaken by the CRCNA as part of its 2020 work De-risking, brokering and prioritising agricultural development in the Northern Territory.