Top End

The Top End region encompasses the Tiwi Islands, Daly and West Arnhem regions, extending from Wadeye in the west to Maningrida in the east.

Around 18,300 people live in the Top End region with major population centres in Wadeye and Jabiru. The region’s population is relatively young, with around 38% aged 24 years and under, and only about 8% aged 65 years or older.

Major industries in the region include tourism, horticulture and forestry. Tourism is a significant contributor to economic activity in the Top End, with world-renowned attractions such as Litchfield and Kakadu national parks, as well as the Daly River for recreational fishing and camping.

Community safety

The Territory Government continues its commitment to safer communities, including investment of $36 million to commence construction of a multipurpose police complex in Maningrida, which will include residential housing and visiting officer quarters, multifunction room/court house, associated boat and storage sheds, and a communications tower.

Budget 2024 also includes $19 million to commence construction of a new multipurpose police complex in Peppimenarti, including government employee housing, multifunction room/court house, detention facilities and other supporting site infrastructure.

Maningrida cyclone shelter

Regional communities located along the Territory coastline are vulnerable to tropical cyclones, with many lacking the capacity to safely shelter the local community’s population.

Budget 2024 includes $24 million to design and construct a multipurpose community cyclone shelter at Maningrida as part of the first stage of the 10-year rolling program to improve cyclone shelter capacity in remote communities across the Territory.

Providing adequate cyclone shelter capacity in local communities allows residents to shelter close to home, reducing the need to relocate people to emergency facilities in Darwin or other major centres, and creates greater community resilience.

The Maningrida cyclone shelter will be designed as a multipurpose facility to maximise use and benefit to the local community, with potential for use by community organisations for various activities and programs.

Road upgrades

Budget 2024 continues to enhance accessibility across the Top End to improve freight efficiency, connectivity, road safety and economic productivity by investing $120 million in roads, including:

• $60 million for selected upgrades on Port Keats Road between Wadeye and Palumpa
• $52 million to upgrade roads on the Tiwi Islands
• $6.2 million to upgrade and seal Marindja Road
• $1.9 million for upgrades to the Arnhem Highway and Marrakai Road intersection.

Mandorah marine facilities

The Territory Government is delivering new marine facilities to improve and maintain public transport services for residents of, and visitors to, Mandorah, Wagait Beach and Belyuen.

Budget 2024 includes $78 million for continuing works to construct a new marine facility at Mandorah. The new facility will be safer for ferry users and provide easier access for people with disabilities to board and alight from the ferry.

The new facility will be delivered in stages and include a more weather resistant dual berthing facility that can safely accommodate the ferry operating between Darwin and Mandorah, as well as future expansion.

A stronger future for Jabiru and Kakadu

The Commonwealth and Territory governments have committed $411.5 million to deliver a strong and sustainable future for Jabiru and Kakadu, including supporting transition of Jabiru from a mining town to a sustainable tourism hub and service centre for Kakadu National Park and the West Arnhem region.

Budget 2024 includes $117.2 million in continuing works for infrastructure to reposition Jabiru post-mining as a tourism and regional services hub, including $67 million for road upgrades in Kakadu National Park to support tourism growth.

The new $20 million Jabiru Health Centre is underway, with construction 75% complete. The new facility, co-located adjacent to the proposed Bininj Resource Centre and lakeside precincts, will greatly improve access to medical services in the region, as well as expand the provision of local renal dialysis services for patients in the West Arnhem region.

The health centre will include eight consulting suites with dedicated male, female and paediatric rooms, four multipurpose allied health examination rooms, a four-chair renal room and a dental surgery (including sterilisation and work rooms).

The health centre will also include specialised facilities such as an audiology consulting room with a hearing booth, x-ray room, medication store and private pharmacy, four-berth morgue with a viewing area and an external, culturally appropriate ceremony area adjacent to the morgue.

Major works overview

Printable fact sheet

Get a printable copy of the Top End region fact sheet PDF (509.1 KB).