Boosting tourism in the East Arnhem region

16 June 2024

The Lawler Labor Government is developing the Territory’s regions to boost economic development and create more working opportunities for Territorians.

A local Territory business, DTA Contractors, has been awarded a $6.9 million contract to construct marine and landside facilities at Inverell Bay, Gunyangara, near Nhulunbuy.

DTA Contractors will work with three local Nhulunbuy businesses, including two Aboriginal businesses, to build the new facilities, which will boost tourism in the East Arnhem region. The new marine facilities are designed to enable ongoing maintenance by local businesses in Nhulunbuy and the pontoon that forms the floating pontoon is detachable so it can be removed and stored safely in preparation for a cyclone.

The Territory Labor Government is ensuring East Arnhem is one of the Territory’s fastest growing regions.

The upgrades will provide better tourism facilities for recreational users, charter vessels and other marine operators as well as opportunities to maximise local and Indigenous participation and support regional growth.

The construction contract includes building:

• new extended rock groyne that vehicles and pedestrians can access
• careening facilities that vessels can dock alongside for maintenance
• floating pontoon extending out from the groyne
• washdown bay
• car park upgrades
• entry structure.

The Darwin based contractor will subcontract Aboriginal Business Enterprises, Deltareef Pty Ltd and Gulkula Construction, along with local business KMJ Electrical to deliver the project.

Overall, the project will support employment for 34 Territorians, including 15 Aboriginal Territorians and six apprentices.

This is the third package of works awarded for the overall $9.3 million Gunyangara (Gove Port) Tourism Precinct project to deliver improved land and marine tourism infrastructure at Inverell Bay to enable growth in the tourism industry in the region.

The $9.3 million Gunyangara (Gove Port) Tourism Precinct project is jointly funded by the Australian Government through the Aboriginals Benefit Account to the Gumatj Corporation, the Northern Territory Government and Developing East Arnhem Limited.

Gove Boat Club will operate the new facilities with support and collaboration from the Ngarrariyal Aboriginal Corporation and Gumatj Corporation.

This week, the Northern Territory Government granted a Crown Lease to Ngarrariyal Aboriginal Corporation to enable the construction and operation of the new marine infrastructure with an Indigenous Land Use Agreement in place between the Territory Government, Ngarrariyal and the Northern Land Council.

Construction is expected to begin on site in August 2024 and take 12 months to complete.

Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Eva Lawler:

“My Government is ensuring all regions of the Territory grow and prosper, we want East Arnhem Land and the Gove Peninsula to have a strong economic future.

“Local Territory business DTA Contractors will construct the new marine facility which will diversify the opportunities available in the region and work to grow the tourism and maritime industries, as well as highlight the natural resources and strong cultural community already in place.                                                         

“These upgrades will bring visitation and investment, with this stage of the project creating working and training opportunities for 34 Territorians.”

Quotes attributed to Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Joel Bowden:

“The Lawler Labor Government is making sure the Territory is open to visitors in a safe and respectful way.

“This is the third package of works to deliver this project, which will continue to support local business and local jobs.”

Northern Territory Government