5 May 2026
$4 million total towards progressing new residential and industrial land supply in two key regions: Central Australia and the Barkly.
This is central to supporting regional population and economic growth, housing affordability and supply, and providing certainty for developers and investors.
Increasing land supply will support long-term growth and address housing demand for skilled workers in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is driving growth in Central Australia and the Barkly, investing a total of $4 million across the next two years to progress new land releases in Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
Alice Springs: $3 million allocated for land investigations, infrastructure planning and concept design to support industrial land release south of the gap and inform enabling infrastructure requirements to unlock the next stage of residential land release in Kilgariff Estate.Tennant Creek: $1 million allocated for land investigations, infrastructure planning and concept design to inform capital investment that can facilitate timely release of future residential and industrial subdivisions.
This builds on the government's broader land release program across the NT including in Greater Darwin, where residential land supply has more than doubled with 298 titled lots released so far in 2025-26 compared to 143 the previous year, and strong pipeline of more than 3,900 lots.
Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne said the availability of industrial and residential land was essential to support population growth and emerging business in the region, including projects such as large-scale gold mining returning to Tennant Creek.
"Unlocking industrial and residential land is central to strengthening investment in Central Australia and the Barkly," said Mr Burgoyne.
"Our government is creating local jobs that drive population growth and boost demand for residential, industrial and commercial land near employment - increasing development will support workforce retention and attraction in these regional areas."
"These land releases are about building a stronger future - supporting families, enabling business growth, and ensuring the Northern Territory is competitive and prosperous."
Just last month, another 36 new residential lots were released for purchase in Alice Springs as part of the Kilgariff Estate 'Wattle Release.'
"During our year of growth, certainty, and security, we are taking action to address an important need to get more homes on the ground for Territorians, new residents, frontline workers, and industry in a scarce residential market," said Mr Burgoyne.
"We want more people to have the opportunity to own a home here in the Territory, which is why our government has extended the HomeGrown grants program through to September 2027, which is available Territory-wide."
Urban Development Institute of Australia NT Chief Executive Officer Drew Wagner said new land releases were key to long-term economic growth.
"Enabling residential and industrial development will strengthen the Northern Territory's future," said Mr Wagner.
"Bringing new land to market in strategic regional locations supports job creation, provides the foundation for sustainable population growth, and increases the liveability of our regional areas."
Sallyann Innes, Master Builders NT Chief Executive Officer, said the association welcomed the Government's focus on land release in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek.
"Unlocking land, supported by the right enabling infrastructure, is critical to delivering more homes and supporting growing communities across the Territory," she said.
"For our members, this will provide much-needed pipeline certainty. When they can see a clear, forward program of land release and infrastructure investment, they can invest in their workforce, take on apprentices and plan for the long term."
