Chief Minister
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
Media Release Labor's $12m Nightcliff white elephant to become emergency services headquarters
9 June 2026
The facility will provide NT Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) with a fit-for-purpose headquarters for the first time
NTFES does not currently have its own home, sharing space in police buildings around the city.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing community safety with record investment in law and order in the 2026-27 Budget.
The NT Fire and Emergency Services (NTFES) will get its own dedicated headquarters and back-up crisis coordination centre at Nightcliff as the Finocchiaro CLP Government continues to deliver stronger and safer communities.
The premises at 53 Progress Drive will provide long-term certainty for our emergency services agencies, following consultation with both NT Police and NTFES.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the facility would provide NTFES with a fit-for-purpose headquarters for the first time, including backup power and water systems and the capability to support emergency operations during critical incidents when required.
The move cleans up another mess left behind by the former Labor government, which promised a 24/7 police station but delivered a $12million administration building that did nothing to combat spiralling crime rates.
"This is a great outcome for our fire and emergency services workers which will give them the headquarters they deserve," Mrs Finocchiaro said.
"This decision creates additional capacity within Police's existing headquarters, allowing further consolidation of administrative and support functions that underpin frontline policing."
The change will have no impact on frontline policing services in Nightcliff and surrounding communities. Administrative and support functions currently located within the building will be accommodated elsewhere within the NT Police estate.
NTFES does not currently have its own home, sharing space in police buildings around the city.
"This development highlights the contrast between the former Labor Government's promise for the site and the reality of what was delivered," said Mrs Finocchiaro.
"They promised a 24/7 police station but built a $12 million administration building that was never planned to function as a genuine police station.
"The building didn't even have the basic operational requirements such as a watchhouse, it was simply never designed to meet the operational requirements of modern policing."
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing community safety with record investment in law and order in the 2026-27 Budget, alongside reforms that are delivering results across the Territory.
In the coming weeks, existing signage at the building will be removed and detailed planning will commence to support the transition of the building to its new role.
During this period, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) will temporarily operate from the facility while its primary site at the Peter McAulay Centre undergoes a planned six-month upgrade.
Following completion of those works, the facility will formally commence operations as the new headquarters of NTFES.
The transition is expected to be completed from May 2027, allowing time for the temporary JESCC relocation and completion of minor works required to support the change in use.
Detailed planning will now be undertaken to determine the scope of works, delivery requirements and associated costs.
The Territory Safety Division and Territory Safety Coordination Team currently operate from the facility, along with a number of administrative staff and stored equipment.
These functions and assets will be progressively relocated to other NT Police facilities as part of the transition.
