Northern Territory launches development fast-track scheme
Sydney (1 June)
The Northern Territory (NT) Government has selected Arafura Rare Earths’ Nolans project as the first individual development to be fast-tracked under its Territorial Coordinator scheme, it announced on 1 June.
“This designation ensures the Territory can take a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to support delivery of the [A$1.6 billion] project,” NT’s Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said on 1 June.
Arafura expects to start construction on Nolans, which the Australian, US, Canadian, South Korean, and German Governments have financially supported, in September, according to the NT Government.
The company aims to begin high-purity rare earth oxide production in three years, it told investors in May. Refiners in Europe, South Korea, and the United States will buy the majority of its output when production begins.
NT’s Territorial Coordinator can set decision deadlines for agencies, modify how legislation is applied to specific projects, and direct planners to consider specific issues when evaluating applications, under legislation passed in late 2025.
NT’s fast track declaration allows industry and government to work in lockstep to deliver the project, Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles said.
Multiple Australian states have stood up bespoke regulatory support schemes over the last year. Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia created Coordinator-General offices to speed up project approvals in 2024-25.
The Federal Government will also provide tailored support to four projects under its Investor Front Door pilot scheme until mid-2027.
By Avinash Govind