Melville Island road upgrades announced via $75 million investment

A tender has been released for the upgrade of Pirlangimpi Road on Melville Island, part of a $75 million joint investment by the Australian Federal and Northern Territory governments. The project aims to support industry and economic growth within the Tiwi Islands region.

The works involve realigning and sealing 15 kilometres of road, installing culverts, and adding safety barriers to improve flood immunity and road safety. The upgrades will link the townships of Pirlangimpi, Pickertaramoor, and Paru to the boat ramp connecting them to services on Bathurst Island. This infrastructure is considered critical for the Tiwi-owned plantation industry and local freight connections.

The Australian Government is contributing $60 million, while the Northern Territory Government is providing $15 million. A contract is expected to be awarded in early 2027, with construction slated to begin in July of that year and reach completion by December 2028, depending on weather conditions.