Fresh doubt has been cast over the future of a half-a-billion-dollar Northern Territory government project after the collapse of one of the major companies involved.
Key points:
- A major contractor on the $515 million ship lift facility has entered administration
- The project has already faced delays and a $115 million cost blowout
- Critics of the project are concerned the problems could continue
The government is adamant the $515 million ship lift will go ahead, while its critics have questioned if continued delays and cost blowouts could push the project beyond feasibility.
The taxpayer-funded facility was intended to bring millions of dollars into the economy each year with infrastructure that would service large vessels in Darwin Harbour.
But the plans were dealt a blow this week when perth-based construction firm Clough — which is designing and building the ship lift with joint-venture partner BMD — entered voluntary administration on Monday.
Administrators from Deloitte are now combing through the company’s projects to assess how they could be brought to fruition.
On Wednesday, Northern Territory Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler said the government was closely monitoring the situation.
Northern Territory Infrastructure…
