Safer and better roads coming for Melville Island

26 August 2026

• A tender has been released for the jointly funded $75 million upgrade of Pirlangimpi Road on Melville Island by Northern Territory and Australian governments.

• Works will include sealing 15km of the road, installing culverts and road safety barriers, improving flood immunity during the wet season and road safety outcomes.

• The project will improve access between Tiwi communities and support local industry, jobs and economic growth.

Pirlangimpi Road on Melville Island is being upgraded to support industry and economic growth in the Tiwi Islands region, with a tender released to market today.

The works are part of a $75 million joint investment between the Albanese and Finocchiaro governments to upgrade key roads, linking the townships of Pirlangimpi, Pickertaramoor and Paru to the boat ramp that connects with communities and services on neighbouring Bathurst Island.

The Australian Government has committed $60 million towards the road upgrades on Melville Island, with the Northern Territory Government committing $15 million.

The Pirlangimpi Road upgrade has been identified as a priority through stakeholder consultation and by the Tiwi Islands Roads Investment Strategy.

Works in this package include realigning and sealing 15 km of the road, as well as installing culverts and road safety barriers, improving flood immunity during the wet season.

A contract is expected to be awarded in early 2027, with construction expected to begin in July 2027 during the dry season and be completed by December 2028.

Pirlangimpi Road will remain accessible for the duration of the works, with speed restrictions, lane closures and detours in place.

The works form part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s significant investment in Territory roads, with Budget 2026–27 delivering more than $2 billion in key transport infrastructure projects to improve safety, reliability, and access across the Territory.

Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“This joint investment by the Australian and Northern Territory governments in road upgrades for Melville Island will improve connectivity and flood resilience.

“Because of these upgrades, the local community will benefit from new jobs created by the project and the safer, all-weather access roads they deserve.”

Quotes attributable to NT Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan:

“Pirlangimpi Road is critical economic infrastructure for the Tiwi Islands, supporting the local plantation industry, the growth of the local economy and prosperity of local communities.

“Upgrading this road will provide the safer and more reliable freight connection needed to support continued growth and future investment."

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy:

“Upgrading Pirlangimpi Road will improve connections between Melville Island communities and access to the boat ramp, which is an important link to services on Bathurst Island.

“Strengthening the road against flooding will improve safety and reliability in the wet season, supporting economic opportunities across the Tiwi Islands.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour:

“Tiwi Islands is in desperate need of quality road infrastructure; this is something the Tiwi Islands Regional Council and our communities have long been advocating for.

"This package is a hugely important one, and I am excited to see it rolled out. However, there are several significant roads that also need further resourcing on Tiwi, particularly when it comes to waste management on the Island.”

Media contacts:

Minister Yan – Jason McIntosh (0492 166 281) | Minister King– Lily Cassidy  (0474 048 152) | Member for Lingiari – Ciaran Dunne (0437 268 985) | Minister McCarthy – Brihony Speed (0456 903 299)