Greater Darwin

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Nat 4/3/2025

The Greater Darwin region includes the cities of Darwin and Palmerston, the Litchfield Shire, East Arm and Robertson Barracks. The region is home to around 150,700 people, representing about 60% of the Territory’s population. Greater Darwin has the lowest proportion of young people among the regions, with around 32% aged 24 years and under, and the highest proportion of population aged 65 years and over, at around 10%.

Darwin is the Territory’s capital city and the main administrative centre. Major industries include construction, defence, retail, tourism, education and training, public administration, community safety and health care. Darwin is a key gateway to the Territory’s regional centres and tourist attractions, and an important strategic hub for trade and defence.

Major industries in Palmerston and the Litchfield Shire include construction, aquaculture, horticulture, cattle and crocodile farming, defence, and LNG production. The Robertson Barracks army base, located near Palmerston, hosts the ongoing rotations of United States marines in the Territory.

Economic infrastructure

Budget 2024 invests in infrastructure to support the growth of the Greater Darwin region including:

• $448 million in new and continuing works for the common user ship lift facility at East Arm, including ship lift, wet berths and additional hard stand area for ship repair and maintenance works
• $71.6 million for continuing works on the Tiger Brennan Drive overpass
• $43 million for Holtze and Kowandi headworks to support additional land supply
• $17 million to provide a connection from Coolalinga North to the Palmerston sewerage network
• $11 million to support development of renewable energy hubs in Weddell
• $11 million to support the development of Farrar West/Milulula to design and deliver enabling infrastructure that will support residential land development by Larrakia Development Corporation
• $9.1 million for detailed design, strategic environmental assessment, business case development and preliminary works for the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct
• $8.8 million to replace the ageing Berrimah agricultural laboratory building with new laboratory facilities and modern infrastructure at Berrimah farm
• $5.9 million for Gunn Point Agribusiness Precinct.

Darwin Convention Centre upgrades

The Darwin Convention Centre is the largest event and conference facility in the Territory with a maximum seated capacity of 1,200.

Budget 2024 includes $19.2 million to expand the capacity of the Darwin Convention Centre by 4,350 seats, to a total of 5,550 seats, and deliver upgrades, including change rooms, public amenities, and audio and visual equipment. The upgrades will enable increased tourism offerings, particularly during non-peak tourism periods.

In addition, construction of the adjacent Darwin Convention Centre hotel will provide upscale accommodation options and support increased visitor numbers to the Darwin Waterfront.

Upgrades to schools

Budget 2024 includes $17.2 million for new and continuing works to upgrade school infrastructure and facilities in Greater Darwin, including:

• $9.2 million for new preschool facilities at Parap Primary School
• $3.2 million to redevelop Richardson Park as a community recreation facility and provide access to Ludmilla Primary School
• $2 million to plan for enrolment growth in secondary and special education in Palmerston
• $1.6 million for upgrades to the administration block at Leanyer Primary School
• $1.2 million for roof replacement at Wulagi Primary School.

Hidden Valley Motor Sports complex

Budget 2024 includes $4.7 million for upgrades to the Hidden Valley Motor Sports complex including improved accessibility, and track and service works to support the FIM Motocross World Championships.

Residential aged care

Budget 2024 includes $12 million for land servicing, development and design of a new 120-bed residential aged care facility in the Palmerston Regional Health Precinct.

The site is in close proximity to the Palmerston Regional Hospital and the land servicing works will support the residential aged care facility as well as the broader development of the Holtze area.

Royal Darwin Hospital

Budget 2024 includes $107 million in continuing works for infrastructure upgrades at Royal Darwin Hospital, including:

• $25 million to expand the mental health inpatient unit
• $24.8 million for additional clinical spaces
• $22.9 million for a modular multipurpose facility
• $22.6 million to upgrade the forensic mortuary, pathology and bereavement facility
• $6.6 million to establish the mental health stabilisation assessment and referral area unit
• $2.3 million for remedial repairs to concrete spalling
• $1.4 million to install a new laundry rail hoist.

State Square and Civic Park

The Civic and State Square revitalisation project aims to create a vibrant and liveable city centre that will attract new residents, students and businesses to Darwin, and encourage them to put down roots and stay for the long term.

The revitalised precinct will include sheltered pedestrian walkways connecting to the surrounding areas within the city with promenades and walkways, Aboriginal artwork to celebrate the city’s rich cultural history, and shading, landscaping and water features. The precinct will also include spaces for events, festivals, gatherings and displays.

Budget 2024 provides $104 million for new and continuing works at the precinct, which include construction of the Northern Territory Art Gallery, and completion of a detailed master plan and design for the remainder of the precinct. It is anticipated to be completed late 2027.

Major works overview

Printable fact sheet

Get a printable copy of the Greater Darwin region fact sheet PDF (701.4 KB).