Almost a decade after it was announced, Darwin's half-a-billion dollar ship lift still isn't built
1/2 a billion dollar view with a chequered history the government says is now over. We’re determined to have a quality, high quality shiplift here in Darwin, and that’s the work that’s underway. After almost a decade of delay. Darwin’s embattled shiplift project, which is seeing cost blow out from $100 million to more than 500 million, is now pegged to see large vessels docking for maintenance and repairs in two years. Today we’re talking about a $48 million tender that’s going to person shiplift contractings. The government says the taxpayer funded facility will be a big boost to the economy. We think it will be a money maker. We see it as an industry that’s going to grow into the grow across Australia, grow worldwide. It’s a project both sides of politics back. We are in a great place in the NT and are we in a in a defence wise in a very strategic location and a project of this size now into the future will certainly benefit the Territory. But we need to make sure that the business case stacks up. The Navy was a critical and early supporter of the project. It’s ongoing commitment now uncertain with the chief Minister unable to confirm a contract. Some of those discussions are happening now. This Darwin based defence expert says the project is critical for Australia’s security. It is a response to sort of changes in the geopolitical situation. But why? I don’t think there’s necessarily an immediate threat. The issue is it’s an important part of strengthening defence infrastructure around the country right now, larger defense and ally. The vessels would need to go elsewhere in the country to have. To have major repair works conducted, the government says the project will be a jobs boost for the territory, requiring up to 250 workers for the construction phase.