Housing is essential economic infrastructure

The Darwin Major Business Group welcomes the release of the NT Housing Strategy 2026-2030 and its recognition that the Territory cannot grow its economy, attract workers or deliver major projects without more housing in the right places.

The strategy’s focus on serviced land, enabling infrastructure, planning reform, construction capacity and affordable rental options for key workers reflects the challenges being raised by Territory businesses.

Importantly, it also recognises that delivery will require cooperation across governments, industry, financial institutions, housing providers and communities, and that Commonwealth housing programs must be better leveraged for Territory outcomes.

Through Facing North, DMBG is advocating for a coordinated housing partnership involving the NT Government, Housing Australia, community and First Nations housing providers, local government, financiers, landholders and industry.

The opportunity now is to translate the strategy into a staged and investable pipeline of additional social, affordable and key-worker homes, with clear responsibilities, delivery milestones and the enabling infrastructure needed to get projects built.

Housing supply is not separate from economic development. It is fundamental to workforce attraction, population growth and the Territory’s capacity to realise the major opportunities ahead.