Barkly
The Barkly region is a vast area located in the Territory’s northeast, bordered by Queensland to the east and covering around 21% of the NT’s total land area, equivalent to 283,606 square kilometres.
Key towns in the region include Tennant Creek, Elliott, and Ali Curung. Tennant Creek, with a population of approximately 3,500 residents, is the region’s primary service hub.
There are about 6,140 people living in the region, which is made up of small communities separated by long distances.
The Barkly Regional Council area covers over 323,000 square kilometres, which equates to a population density of 0.02 persons per square kilometre, highlighting the vastness of the region.
Major industries in the region include government services, agriculture, construction, and mining.
The Territory ambition is to achieve a $40 billion economy by 2030. In order to realise this potential, it is projected that 35,000 new jobs will be created over the coming years.
Noting anticipated population growth, a range of affordable housing projects are underway and land releases for residential development are essential to support economic development.
The Northern Territory Government has invested over $40 million in the 2023-24 budget to support expedited residential land releases in the Top End, Katherine in the Big Rivers region and in Tennant Creek in the Barkly region, for residential development.
Minerals found in the Barkly
The historic mining region of Tennant Creek includes advanced projects for gold, copper, cobalt and iron. Further east in the Barkly hosts some of Australia’s largest undeveloped phosphate deposits.
Which minerals are found in your home?
View the interactive map to find out
Activity in your region
Proponent: Tamboran Resources/Daly Waters Energy (77.5%), Falcon Oil & Gas (22.5%) (The Beetaloo Joint Venture)
Project: Beetaloo Gas Development Project
Product: Natural gas with low-reservoir CO2 (3 – 5%)
Overview:
The Beetaloo Gas Development Project is a proposed unconventional gas development in the Beetaloo Sub-basin in the Territory’s Barkly region. The project is estimated to contain approximately 300,000 petajoules (PJ) of natural gas, which is equivalent to approximately 500 years of current annual domestic consumption on Australian’s East Coast.
Once production approvals are obtained, Tamboran plans to begin commercial production in 2026 into the NT domestic market before expanding to supply the East Coast gas market by the end of 2028. Tamboran also plans to develop an LNG export business on land at Darwin’s Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct (“NTLNG”).
The project is expected to create thousands of new jobs during the construction and subsequent operational phases across the Northern Territory.
The timeline for the Beetaloo Gas Development Project is subject to change. The project will depend on several factors, including the results of the exploration and appraisal wells, the approval of the development application and the availability of funding.
Community contribution:
- Generation of substantial royalties and taxes for the NT Government over the Project’s lifetime.
- Thousands of jobs are expected to be created during the construction and operational phases. These jobs will provide a much-needed boost to the local economy and help to attract new businesses and residents to the area.
- Potential development of new infrastructure improving connectivity and accessibility in the region, such as roads, railways, telecommunications and pipelines.
- The gas supply secured from the Project is expected to significantly meet the long-term supply requirements of domestic industry, electricity generators and consumers.
- The Beetaloo Basin’s natural gas has low-reservoir CO¬2 making it an attractive source of supply for industries seeking to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Tamboran holds relevant approvals with Native Title Holders and the Northern Land Council and engages consistently in relation to the Project’s exploration activities and ongoing community benefits.
- Tamboran Resources is proud to be the official energy partner of the Dolphins NRL team and contributes too many other community initiatives.
How many people will be employed: 6,400 by 2040.
Project life span: >20 years.
Rehabilitation plan: For all petroleum regulated activities as part of the Project, a Rehabilitation Plan forms part of the Environment Management Plan (EMP) under the NT petroleum legislative requirements.
The plan helps Tamboran Resources understands and manages rehabilitation risks; demonstrates preparedness; identifies and implements progressive rehabilitation projects; complies with the legislative requirements.
It also demonstrates commitment for collaboration, transparency, clarify responsibilities and reduce potential conflicts in meeting environmental outcomes for a regulated activity across multiple project stakeholders.
Proponent: SunCable
Project: The Australia-Asia Power Link
Product: Renewable energy
SunCable is developing the Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink), a world-leading project harnessing Australia's abundant land and solar energy. One of the world’s largest solar farms and battery systems will harness solar energy from the Barkly region in the Northern Territory of Australia, for 24/7 dispatch to Darwin and Singapore via a 4,300 kilometre high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system.
SunCable’s energy projects will position the Northern Territory as a world leader in intercontinental transmission of renewable electricity. The AAPowerLink will stimulate the growth of a renewable infrastructure industry in the Northern Territory.
The AAPowerLink will initially provide 900 megawatts (MW) of electrical capacity to the Darwin region and will facilitate the electrification of new and existing industries, supporting large-scale economic development, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The AAPowerLink is a AUD $40 billion project and will deliver significant strategic, economic and social benefits to the regions in which it will operate. It has the potential to create thousands of jobs, opportunities for local businesses and suppliers, as well as innovation and investment in Australia, Singapore and Indonesia.
Benefits include an estimated $8billion in investment in Australia during the four-year construction period, with most spent in the Northern Territory, an estimated 1,750 direct construction jobs and approximately 350 long-term operational jobs for the 70-year life of the project.
Company: Empire Energy
Project: Beetaloo Basin
Product: Natural Gas
Empire Energy Group is an oil and gas company operating in the Beetaloo Sub-basin and central trough of the McArthur Basin.
The company holds 100% working interest and operatorship in approximately 28.9 million acres of petroleum exploration tenements across the McArthur Basin and its Beetaloo Sub-basin.
Empire, together with the acquisition of Pangaea (NT) Pty Ltd, has invested around $A200 million on-ground in the Northern Territory to explore and appraise the Beetaloo.
This investment is generating economic opportunities for the regions, Traditional Owners and all Territorians.
The company has established strong connections with businesses and communities in the Northern Territory and is progressing further opportunities as the project activities continue.
Commercial production is expected to begin in 2025, if all regulatory approvals are granted in a timely manner.
Overview:
In 2022, Empire Energy:
- Achieved net zero from day one.
- Commenced engagement with ACCU supply counterparties
- Maintained strong relationships with TO’s with full, informed and prior consent for our activities. Thirty on-Country meetings held with TOs to date. NLC exploration payments paid for the benefit of TO and thousands of hours of employment for TOs to date.
How many people are employed: Our pilot project will employ up to 120 people during drilling operations with additional opportunities for local businesses providing support services.
Project lifetime: Long-term employment will depend on the outcomes of the pilot project. That’s one reason we’re keen to advance the project as soon as we can.
