The release today of the Engineers Australia 2010 Northern Territory Infrastructure Report Card found that the Territory's overall infrastructure requires major improvements, with only a small number of sectors being rated^* as good.

The President of the Engineers Australia Northern Division, Len Chappell, said, "Since our initial report in 2005, marginal improvements have been made in the areas of National Roads and Stormwater. While the major Territory Roads have also improved slowly, other Territory Roads and Local Roads have declined.

"Also, the ratings for Rail, Ports, Airports, Potable Water, Wastewater, Electricity and Gas have all slipped. While improvements are planned or underway in all infrastructure sectors, many of these initiatives are either not funded or not expected to be delivered in the short-term."

The 2010 report card includes the extra categories of Roads Overall and Telecommunications that were not rated in 2005. The following table sets out ratings and comparions.

Recommendations of the Report are:

• A coordinated long-term transport infrastructure plan be developed that involves the Australia, Northern Territory and local governments as well as the private sector.
• The recent increase in road maintenance continue and provision be made for replacing aged road assets.
• Road, marine and air access to regional and remote communities be progressively upgraded.
• Local governments build asset management systems for all assets, and the maintenance and renewal information from these systems become a key input into financial allocations to local governments.
• The Northern Territory Government plays a greater role in facilitating infrastructure expansion by coordinating demand from multiple commercial activities and governments with infrastructure providers.
• Ports focus on improving their environmental outcomes and the Port of Darwin implements its forward plans to meet and encourage demand.
• Darwin Airport addresses capacity issues and facilitates airline hubbing and economic growth.
• The Australian and Northern Territory Governments keep regional and remote airstrips viable.
• The Power and Water Corporation and the Northern Territory Government implement demand management strategies to reduce potable water consumption, and develop water source expansion plans for areas where water consumption will exceed supply in the medium to long-term.
• The water quality health issues for all water supplies be addressed.
• The wastewater upgrade and expansion works be completed to allow the closure of the Larrakeyah outfall that discharges raw sewage into the Darwin Harbour.
• The Power and Water Corporation implement the remedial asset management program and long-term action plans as recommended in the Independent Enquiry into Casuarina Substation Events and Substation Maintenance across Darwin report to improve security of service. 
• Electricity and water/wastewater tariffs be set at a level that will ensure financial sustainability.
• The Australian and Northern Territory Governments to continue to invest in the development of alternative energy sources, and 
• Telecommunication shortfalls be addressed by rolling out the National Broadband Network across the Territory and eliminating mobile phone blackspots in urban and fringe areas, and along heavily trafficked roads like highways.

The report includes comprehensive analysis and comment and includes a RATINGS SUMMARY

Further Information: Summaries of each infrastructure type, grade and comment and a copy of the full report are available at www.engineersaustralia.org.au/ircnt. Reports for all States and Territories will be released by mid November 2010.

(* The ratings have been based on an assessment of asset condition, asset availability and reliability, asset management and sustainability. An "A" means very good and the infrastructure is fit for its current and anticipated future purposes; "B" is good, with minor changes needed to meeting current and future needs; "C" is adequate, but major changes required; "D" is poor, with critical changes required; and "F" is inadequate).

Media Contact: John Bright - 0407 234 490 / jbright@engineersaustralia.org.au
Engineers Australia is the common name of The Institution of Engineers Australia with over 93,000 members