Tender for $75m NT Melville Island road upgrades released to market

A tender has been released to market for the upgrade of Pirlangimpi Road on Melville Island, which will improve access between Tiwi Islands communities and support local industry, jobs and economic growth.

This project is part of a joint $75 million investment to upgrade key roads to link the townships of Pirlangimpi, Pickertaramoor and Paru to the boat ramp that connects communities and services on neighbouring Bathurst Island.

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

"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," Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.

"Pirlangimpi Road is critical economic infrastructure for the Tiwi Islands, supporting the Tiwi-owned 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," NT Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan said.

The Pirlangimpi Road upgrade is a priority project identified through stakeholder consultation and by the Tiwi Islands Road Investment Strategy.

This package of works will include realigning and sealing 15 kilometres of Pirlangimpi Road, installing culverts and road safety barriers to improve flood immunity during the wet season.

The contract to undertake the delivery of this project is anticipated to be awarded in early 2027, with major construction activities to commence in July next year during the dry season. The Pirlangimpi Road upgrade is set to be completed in December 2028.

Over the life of the project, Pirlangimpi Road will remain accessible with restrictions, lane closures and detours in place.

This package of works is being delivered as part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government's significant investment in Northern Territory roads, with the Northern Territory Budget 2026-27 delivering more than $2 billion in key transport infrastructure projects to improve safety, reliability, and access across the Territory.

"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," Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said.

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

"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," Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Roads & Infrastructure Australia