9 September 2025
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing sustainable and inclusive agricultural development across the Territory with the release of a major new report on how to unlock long-term growth in Northern Australia.
Delivered in partnership between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA), the De-risking Phase II: NT Through Sustainable Development Precincts report sets out six recommendations to guide future agricultural development.
Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Gerard Maley said the report highlights a practical pathway that balances environmental and cultural values with sustainable economic growth.
"This is about ensuring agriculture continues to be one of the Territory's great success stories," Mr Maley said.
"In 2024, our agriculture sector contributed around $1.4 billion to the Territory economy, and the opportunities for further growth are enormous - particularly in our regional and remote areas.
"These recommendations, co-designed with industry partners, show how we can deliver stronger regional development while protecting the environment and cultural values that make the Territory unique."
The Douglas Daly region was used as the case study for the project, with the report recommending the development of a regional economic planning framework that can serve as a best practice model for agricultural planning across the NT.
Recommendations include:
Strengthening DAF's central development function to drive economic growth. Developing a strategic framework for the Douglas Daly region aligned with the CLP Government's Rebuilding the Economy Strategy.Advocating for targeted infrastructure upgrades to support long-term development.Establishing the Douglas Daly Research Farm as a best practice research facility.Investing in Traditional Owner capacity building to ensure inclusive and culturally responsible development.
The recommendations were developed in partnership between government, industry, research partners and project participants, with many stakeholders already signalling their support for the next phase.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will now lead the development of an implementation plan and is engaging with funding partners, including the Federal Government, to support delivery.
CRCNA Chief Scientist Professor Allan Dale said the findings show sustainable agricultural development in the NT can be achieved when frameworks are grounded in evidence and shaped by local knowledge.
"By building such an approach in the Douglas Daly region as a best practice benchmark, we can develop a clear, replicable model for balancing economic growth with environmental and cultural values; a model that can guide future regional development across northern Australia," Professor Dale said.
CRCNA CE Strategy and Engagement Anthony Curro said the project demonstrates the value of working together.
"This project has shown the real value of bringing farmers, Traditional Owners, industry and government together around a shared vision for growth," Mr Curro said.
"It proves economic development and sustainability can co-exist, setting the stage for coordinated, long-term investment that strengthens communities, builds industry confidence, and ensures the benefits of development are realised across the north."
Mr Maley said the report provides a blueprint for the future of agricultural development in the Territory.
"This project shows that sustainable growth is possible when government, industry, farmers and Traditional Owners work together," Mr Maley said.
"It lays out a clear plan to unlock regional growth, build industry confidence, and ensure the benefits of development flow to communities across the Territory."
The project builds on earlier research undertaken in 2020 and has been delivered in partnership with the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australian governments as part of a broader collaboration to strengthen agricultural development across the north.
To view the report and its recommendations, visit here
