Business in the Territory just got easier, with the NT Government adopting major reforms to speed up approvals and reduce red tape.
In response to the Saying Yes to Business report by the Approvals Fast Track Taskforce, the NT Government has accepted in full 60 of 70 recommendations and endorsed a further 10 in principle to improve how business is done in the Northern Territory.
The report, developed by a panel of NT industry leaders, outlines actions to improve regulatory processes, reduce delays, and support Territory businesses—particularly small and medium enterprises.
The reforms are designed to halve approval times and improve certainty across key sectors.
Early implementation is already underway, with system improvements allowing the Department of Lands, Planning and the Environment, rather than the Development Consent Authority, to determine applications to clear native vegetation for horticultural or agricultural purposes on unzoned and certain zoned land, streamlining approvals for proponents.
A pre-approved list of place names has also been introduced to accelerate residential development.
A total of 48 recommendations are being prioritised for fast-tracking within the first 12 months.
These include extending the renewal periods for builder licences to 4 years, extending food business registrations renewal period to 36 months, extend renewal periods for RSA certificates; exempt low-risk electrical works from needing a Certificate of Compliance; and introducing standardised traffic management plans for public events.
Chair of the Approvals Fast Track Taskforce, Mark Garraway, said the reforms represent an important step forward for the Northern Territory’s economy.
“The Territory Government has undertaken its critical first step in turning around the NT’s economy. This is about creating certainty and confidence,” he said.
