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Mandorah Marine masterplan

New marine facilities to improve and maintain public transport services to Mandorah, Wagait Beach and Belyuen regions.

The Northern Territory Government is delivering new marine facilities to improve and maintain public transport services for residents of and visitors to Mandorah, Wagait Beach and Belyuen.

The masterplan for Mandorah’s new marine facilities was released in November 2020 following several years of significant stakeholder and community consultation, and the masterplan will now be delivered in stages.

The new facilities will be safer for ferry users and will improve access for people with disabilities to board and alight from the ferry.

The project includes a more weather resistant dual berthing facility that can safely accommodate the ferry vessel that operates between Darwin and Mandorah, as well as future expansion.

The new facilities will be delivered in stages to enable the key elements of the project to be constructed while ensuring the project deliverables are technically sound and the project remains on schedule and within budget.

Latest updates

Read the Mandorah new marine facilities project - Media Release

Read the Mandorah new marine facilities project update - November 2023 PDF (1.0 MB)

A second design and construct tender was released in October 2022 to finalise the design and build for the first stage of new marine facilities.

The previous tender, which closed in mid-2022, did not result in the successful selection of a contractor to deliver the facilities. This can be attributed to cost challenges as a result of uncertain market conditions.

Contract award is expected in mid-2023.

The Territory Government anticipates the project remains on track to be operational by the end of 2024.

Layout and concept

Mandorah concept plan

Mandorah concept plan PDF (10.4 MB)

Mandorah overall site layout

Mandorah overall site layout PDF (1.9 MB)

Stage 1

  • Two breakwater structures constructed to provide protection from sea swells and wave action.
  • Access improvements for people with a disability through a gangway and floating pontoon, and a lift which can carry people who need mobility assistance as well as wheelchairs and prams.
  • Modifications to the car park layout to add car/trailer parking and additional bays for the disabled.
  • Upgrade of existing building for new ferry terminal.
  • New dual lane boat ramp to be delivered in stage 1 and/or 2.

Stage 2

  • A fishing platform built on the main breakwater (northern breakwater), including a pedestrian walkway from the land.
  • Extension of the access road to reach the pedestrian walkway and additional car parking, including added car parking for ferry passengers and bays for the disabled as demand increases and warrants it.

It is envisaged that stage 2 of the project will be delivered approximately 5 years after the completion of the first stage, depending on consolidation time and progress.

Maintenance of the existing facility

The existing Mandorah jetty and boat ramp will be maintained through minor works when required, to provide continued ferry services to residents, visitors and recreational fishers, while the project to deliver the new marine facilities is in construction.

Vehicle limits remain in place with a speed limit of 10 km/hr and load limit of 4.2 tonnes.

Access to some sections of Mandorah Jetty will be restricted during works.

A public notice will be issued to advise of any impacts to the use of the facility as a result of these works.

Stakeholder consultation

During stakeholder consultations, the key priorities stakeholders said they wanted delivered as part of the project were:

  • improved access for people with disabilities to safely board and alight from ferries to and from Darwin, and
  • safe facilities for land based recreational fishing.

The project delivery in stages will ensure that disability access and transport access is prioritised, as well as ensuring provision for land based recreational fishing at the site.

In the first stage this will be achieved through retaining and maintaining the original jetty structure for use predominately by recreational fishers, and then the construction of a fishing platform in the second stage of the project.