TERRITORY COORDINATOR BILL 2024 | REVIEW & FEEDBACK

Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce

21 November 2024

 

Feedback the Territory Coordinator Bill

The Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce invites business members to provide input on the draft Territory Coordinator Bill both direct to the Chamber and to the NT Government.

This is an important opportunity for the business community to shape legislation that could have significant implications for major projects and for businesses operating in the Northern Territory.

The draft laws aim to establish a framework for the Territory Coordinator, whose role will have a number of general functions and powers to support the strategic facilitation of efficient, streamlined and effective assessment and approvals processes.

It is essential that the voices of Territory businesses are heard to ensure the legislation supports the needs of the business sector while safeguarding the interests of the wider community. Accordingly, we encourage all members to review the draft laws and submit their feedback directly to the government ([email protected]) and in addition, we request that you share your submissions with the Chamber ([email protected]).

Your feedback will not only help the government understand the perspectives of local businesses but will also enable the Chamber to represent the collective interests of our members effectively during ongoing discussions. Submissions can include any concerns, suggestions, or support you may have regarding the proposed legislation.

 

Key Features of the Bill

The Territory Coordinator model contained in the Bill has been developed to reflect the opportunities, challenges and risks associated with the unique economic development context in the NT. It builds on similar frameworks that exist or are being considered in Queensland and South Australia but adapted for the unique Territory context where appropriate.

The model proposes three project streams, relating to private and NTG-led projects:

1. Programs of work
2. Significant projects
3. Territory development areas.

The Territory Coordinator is intended to have a number of general functions and powers to support the strategic facilitation of efficient, streamlined and effective assessment and approvals processes. It will also have specific powers that only come into effect after declaring a significant project, program of work, or Territory development area.

This includes powers to:

• Request a public entity to prioritise a specific statutory process (prioritisation request)
• Request a public entity to start or complete a specific statutory process within a specified period, or to pause or continue to undertake a statutory process for a specified period (progression request)
• Request a public entity to make a statutory decision within a specified period (decision request)

Issue a step-in notice to a public entity, advising that the Territory Coordinator will step-in to undertake a statutory process or make a statutory decision in the place of that entity.

The Minister for Territory Coordinator will have the power to:

• Issue a step-in notice in relation to a statutory process or statutory decision where a Minister is the decision maker, advising that the Minister for Territory Coordinator will be step-in to undertake a statutory process or make a statutory decision in the place of the Minister
• Issue an exemption notice to a public entity, on the recommendation of the Territory Coordinator.

Together as the Chamber, we can ensure that the draft Territory Coordinator laws reflect the needs and aspirations of the Northern Territory business community.

 

Links to 

Guide to the Territory Coordinator Bill

Territory Coordinator Bill 2024 – Consultation Draft Only

 

Community information forums will be held in Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy in December. Join us to find out more and have your say on the draft bill.

✦ Katherine – Monday 9 December, 5 pm - 6 pm. Big Rivers Room, Big Rivers Government Centre, 5 First Street, Katherine.

✦ Tennant Creek – Tuesday 10 December, 5 pm – 6 pm. Training room 3, Barkly Business Hub, 63 Haddock Street, Tennant Creek.

✦ Alice Springs – Wednesday 11 December, 5 pm – 6 pm. Andy McNeill Room, Alice Springs Town Council, 93 Todd Street, Alice Springs.

✦ Nhulunbuy – Monday 16 December, 12:30 – 1:30pm. Walkabout Lodge, 12 Westal Street, Nhulunbuy.

Register for community information forums

 

Feedback Deadlines

• Feedback to the NT Chamber of Commerce on the Bill can be emailed to [email protected] by 17 January 2025.
• Feedback to the NT Government on the Bill can be emailed to [email protected] by 17 January 2025.