Mandorah Marine Facility tender Awarded

22 November 2023

The Territory Labor Government has a pipeline of over $500 million worth of marine infrastructure works set to occur in the next two years.

A $63 million tender to upgrade the Mandorah Marine facilities, an integral project within the pipeline, has been awarded to Australian owned marine infrastructure specialist SMC Marine.

Over 110 local jobs will be created through stage one of this project alone, with the detailed design expected to be completed by Q2 2024 and construction to begin shortly after.

The design and construct tender will deliver high-quality marine facilities at Mandorah, upgrading connectivity and community infrastructure in one of the Territory’s most important regions. 

The project will include two break water structures, enhanced disability access, a redesigned and upgraded carpark, a new terminal building and a new boat ramp, providing a calmer, and safer ferry berthing facility.

Due to the pipeline of marine infrastructure projects in the NT, Sydney-based SMC Marine are opening a Darwin office and expanding their business into the Territory. 

Early works to prepare the site and prepare to recycle the existing building to be used as a ferry terminal has been completed, with six local Indigenous sole-traders contracted through the Belyuen Community Government Council working on the project.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Territory Development, Eva Lawler:

“Great news for the residents of Cox Peninsula with a specialist marine infrastructure company awarded the $63 million contract to build the Mandorah marine facility.

“The existing Mandorah Jetty will be maintained to provide continued ferry services to residents and visitors while the project is underway.

“The successful SMC Marine tender includes an alternative concept design of the facilities that is expected to minimise the environmental footprint, improve the ferry accessibility and provide weather protection.

“Another win in awarding this tender, is seeing SMC Marine expanding their operations and opening an office in the Territory.”

Quote attributable to Member for Daly, Dheran Young:

“It is great to see the upgrades to our marine facilities at Mandorah moving forward, this progress is the culmination of years of consultation with the communities I represent to ensure everyone’s needs are met, and the facilities are in line with community expectations.

“The benefits of this project to the wider community, visitors far and wide and ferry service operation Sea Link will far outweigh the time it has taken to ensure this development is done to the highest possible standard.”

Quotes attributable to Director SMAC Marine, Peter Phillipp:

“The team at SMC Marine are very grateful to be awarded the contract to Design and Construct New Marine Facilities to Service Mandorah and the Cox Peninsula. We love designing and building places for the public to enjoy.

“The boat harbour will greatly improve access and safety for ferry passengers between Darwin and the Cox peninsular and provide a wide range of benefits for local recreational boat users. Our practical and durable design maximises the project’s impact for the local community. The works will be carefully planned and executed with our local NT partner, the Ostojic Group.

“SMC Marine is a 23-year-old 100% Australian owned business that creates, designs and builds public marine places, and infrastructure.”

Northern Territory Government