While Northern Australia offers many advantages to businesses, they often face more challenges than businesses in the rest of Australia due to the region's size and remoteness.
The most serious problems and their solutions relate to access to and quality of infrastructure, which impact the related services.
" Much of the infrastructure in Northern Australia is inadequate for current needs, let alone growth. "
There are long and sometimes fragile supply chains, higher workforce, energy and transport costs, and inadequate telecommunications and digital connectivity. These translate into higher overall costs that flow to customers.
To attract more commercial investment, the region needs higher quality, more resilient infrastructure to help reduce costs, minimise supply chain disruptions and help businesses reach their potential.
The required infrastructure is diverse, including: gas pipelines, electricity generation and transmission, water supply, all-weather roads, enhanced rail, sea and air transport and reliable telecommunications.
Realising a step-change in the region's economic contribution requires investment. Much of the infrastructure in Northern Australia is inadequate for current needs, let alone growth.
Planning for new infrastructure should take into account the needs of people, business and industry, as well as defence and security operations.