Contract awarded to undertake restoration of NT Sandover Highway

Local Tennant Creek business Remote Industries Australia has been awarded a $12.95 million contract by the Northern Territory Government to deliver major flood restoration works on the Sandover Highway.

This 561-kilometre corridor is a vital freight, livestock, and community connection between the Plenty Highway and Camooweal. It also serves as an important economic and social lifeline for Eastern Barkly homelands and cattle stations as it provides critical access for essential services, freight and livestock transport.

"This is great news for the Barkly region as the Sandover Highway is the lifeline of the Eastern Barkly, connecting homeland communities and cattle stations to vital healthcare, education, emergency services and freight.

"It also keeps the region's cattle industry moving, supporting jobs, economic growth, and stronger community connections. We are determined to make the Barkly region once again a great place to live, work, visit, and invest," Member for Barkly and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development Steve Edgington said.

Sandover Highway suffered extensive damage during Tropical Cyclone Megan in March 2024 as well as during the 2025-26 wet season.

Reconstruction works will begin in September this year after initial emergency access repairs are done.

The works, which are expected to be completed by June 2027, will restore damaged section of the highway to pre-flood conditions. This includes reconstructing and re-sheeting gravel pavement, repairing erosion and drainage infrastructure, and desilting existing drainage systems.

The works on Sandover Highway will form part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government's record investment in Northern Territory roads, with the 2026-27 State Budget delivering more than $2 billion in key transport infrastructure projects to improve safety, reliability, and access across the Territory.

"I know this is a long time coming for the remote communities, local industries, and tourists relying on this road, and we are getting on with the job of repairing it by properly scoping the reconstruction works needed.

"It's part of our focus on delivering the infrastructure regional Territorians need to live, work, and do business, supported by our $2 billion investment in Territory transport infrastructure.

"Some sections of the highway will remain closed due to the extensive flood damage suffered earlier this year. Only recently have conditions allowed assessments to be completed and we are prioritising the restoration works needed to reinstate safe and reliable access as soon as possible," Member for Namatjira and Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan said.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Roads & Infrastructure Australia