Barkly

The Barkly is the Territory’s third largest region and extends along the Stuart Highway from Tara to Elliott and east across the Barkly Tablelands to Queensland.

The Barkly region is made up of small communities separated by long distances and is home to around 6,200 people, of whom around 69% are Aboriginal.

Tennant Creek is the main centre with a population of around 3,600 people. A high proportion of people living in the region are young, with around 39% aged 24 years and under, and about 8% aged 65 or older.

Major industries in the region include government services, agriculture, construction and mining. The Barkly and Tennant Creek pastoral district accounts for a substantial proportion of the Territory’s total cattle industry. The Territory Government is also investing to develop Tennant Creek as a mining and mineral services centre.

Housing Affordability Future Fund – Peko Road

The 2026 Budget includes $5 million to provide a Territory Government contribution to fund applications under round 3 of the Commonwealth’s Housing Australia Future Fund for the Peko Road project in Tennant Creek.

Ali Curung School upgrades

The 2026 Budget allocates $3.5 million for works at Ali Curung School including a new administration block and upgrades to the existing early learning facility. The administration block will provide accommodation for five staff, office and meeting spaces, staff facilities, secure reception and supporting services areas.

Upgrades to the existing early learning facility will focus on improving safety, compliance and functionality through improving internal spaces, student amenities, outdoor learning areas and building services.

The works will improve student and staff wellbeing through modernising outdated administrative and learning facilities. This ensures a fit-for-purpose environment, encourage increased participation in early learning education and boost attendance at Ali Curung School.

Tennant Creek Hospital serves the most medically complex population in Australia, with a large proportion of patients requiring aeromedical transfer to other hospitals to receive treatment. A locally available CT service will significantly decrease transfers, along with the cultural, logistical and financial barriers of leaving country for medical care.

Land release update

The Territory Government is investing in Tennant Creek to realise the economic potential of the Barkly region, including supporting development of the Beetaloo Sub-basin.

To unlock new residential and industrial development opportunities in Tennant Creek, the 2026 Budget provides $1 million over two years to undertake land investigations to support timely industrial and residential subdivisions in Tennant Creek.

Major projects in the Barkly are driving increased demand for development-ready land. This funding ensures the Territory can deliver the critical early-stage infrastructure needed to unlock land, support growth and attract private sector investment to the Barkly region.

New Tennant Creek boarding facility

The 2026 Budget includes $8.3 million to construct a new boarding facility at Tennant Creek High School. The 40-bed facility will be split into two residential buildings, accommodating 20 student boarders each and includes an administration building for staff and support services, a community building with a fully equipped kitchen and dining space, and landscaping.

The facility will provide a pathway for students from remote areas in the Barkly to access high quality secondary education in a safe environment as well as encouraging them to remain in the region to improve access to family during their education.

Design has been finalised and the project is expected to be completed in 2027.

Tennant Creek streetscape

The revitalisation of Tennant Creek town centre has been completed, including upgrades to shading, cooling, lighting, signage and landscaping on Paterson Street and Memorial Drive.

The $2.95 million project is a commitment to restoring the Territory lifestyle by making Tennant Creek a great place to live, work, visit and invest, as well as reducing crime through improved lighting to boost surveillance and sightlines.

Remote housing

Under the 10-year remote housing program 31 new homes and 16 upgrades or refurbishments have been delivered in the Barkly, with a further six new homes and six upgrades planned for 2026–27 to continue addressing housing needs in remote communities.

Ali Curung back up generator

The Territory Government is investing to improve critical infrastructure and provide secure, reliable services in remote communities.

A new $1.35 million 660 kilowatt standby generator will deliver power supply during outages to ensure the community has reliable power when required, supporting residents, businesses, the school and health centre.

Flood recovery

The Territory Government introduced the $100 million Flood Recovery Fund resilience initiative and a further $30.5 million on the Roads Repair Package to rebuild critical road infrastructure that is vital to connecting remote communities and regional economies that support industries to keep the Territory moving.

The Roads Repair Package encompasses $6.5 million for Barkly roads, including:

• Murray Downs Road
• Elkedra Propacc Road
• Kurundi Road.

The Roads Repair Package and Flood Recovery Fund will deliver urgent restoration of flood damaged infrastructure across the Territory by reopening and repairing critical road links, restoring critical year-round access to communities and enabling evacuated residents to return home while reconnecting essential services and emergency access.

Printable fact sheet

Get a printable copy of the Barkly region fact sheet PDF (975.0 KB).