7 November 2026
A tender has been released to seal, widen, and upgrade a 46.4-kilometre stretch of Port Keats Road between Palumpa and Wadeye.
The Finnochiaro and Albanese Governments are co-funding the $90 million project to significantly improve wet season flood immunity and year-round access.
Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2027 and run through October 2030, targeting 11 new causeways and major drainage works across 24 location.
A key West Daly region road in the Northern Territory, southwest of Darwin, will be upgraded to improve flood immunity and access to the region during severe weather events in the wet season.
A tender has been released to upgrade, seal and widen a 46.4-kilometre section of Port Keats Road between Palumpa (west of Anopheles Creek) and Wadeye.
The Finnochiaro and Albanese Governments have committed $90 million towards the upgrades, comprising of a $72 million contribution from the Australian Government and $18 million from the Northern Territory Government.
Port Keats Road is about 181 kilometres of mainly unsealed road between the Daly River Crossing (near the Community of Nauiyu) and Wadeye and services the West Daly communities of Peppimenarti, Nganmarriyanga and Wadeye.
It is regularly impacted by flooding leading to road closures or weight restrictions following weather events during the wet season.
Road closures can be in place for almost a third of a year and restrictions can apply for a whole year.
The works will improve flood immunity by constructing 11 causeways, consisting of 13 major culverts, along with drainage and protection works at 24 other locations.
The project aims to improve road safety, wet season accessibility and access to essential services, delivering social, education, health and economic benefits across the West Daly region.
Construction is expected to begin in the dry season in May 2027 and continue until October 2030.
No works are currently planned during the wet season months over that period.
Port Keats Road will remain accessible for the duration of the works, with traffic controls in place including speed restrictions, lane closures and detours where required.
Quotes attributable to NT Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan:
“We are pleased to be upgrading Port Keats Road to provide safer, more reliable access to Wadeye and communities along the route, helping people get to health care, education and work.
“These upgrades will help reduce wet season disruptions, support local jobs and businesses, and open up opportunities to grow the regional economy.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring that remote communities have reliable, year-round access to essential services and these works will go a long way to realising that.
“Like many unsealed roads in the Northern Territory, Port Keats Road is significantly affected by wet weather conditions. Releasing this tender is a critical step forward in delivering the infrastructure to improve access for the people who rely on this road.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The Albanese Government is investing in critical road infrastructure upgrades to improve safety and increase accessibility for remote communities.
“Upgrading Port Keats Road will mean better access to essential services for Wadeye residents, who have long been calling for these works.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour:
“This is a critical project for the West Daly Region and for communities along the Port Keats Road. They have waited a long time for this road, and it is important we are reaching the next stage.
“The Port Keats Road will help to improve access and economic resilience, and flood immunity to ensure there is better connection for essential transport links even during wet season weather.”
