Records 1981

In July 1981, Cabinet approved in principle a transport corridor from Darwin Port along the Frances Bay/Stuart Park foreshore area, through Winnellie, Coonawarra and Berrimah to the existing railway line near Palmerston.

This followed a consultancy report which recommended this corridor replace the existing corridor which ran near the (then) Darwin Airport entrance, Salonika Crossing and Daly Street in the city. 

The estimated cost of the 20km of track and marshalling yard was $21.2 million.

The Cabinet submission noted the proposed corridor was compatible with plans for the Alice Springs to Darwin railway line and development of the Darwin port. 

Cabinet’s approval was subject to a further report after preliminary negotiations in relation to transfer of land to the Northern Territory.

Read the Cabinet decision - submission number 1518 and decision number 1796 of 9 July 1981 PDF (1.8 MB).