Celebrating Indigenous participation, pathways and strengthened cultural partnerships across the Northern Territory and Northern Australia

Airport Development Group (ADG) today released its Indigenous Engagement Report 2024–25, highlighting another year of significant progress in education, employment, tourism, cultural partnerships, and community investment across the Northern Territory.

The Report showcases the achievements of ADG’s Indigenous Training Academy (ITA), the growth of Indigenous employment across ADG’s airports and resorts, strengthened partnerships with Traditional Owner groups including the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation, and expanding Indigenous tourism and cultural infrastructure initiatives across Darwin and Alice Springs.

Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Committee, Eddie Fry, said the report reflects meaningful, grounded progress that is reshaping opportunity for Indigenous Territorians.

“Our Indigenous Training Academy is more than just a program — it’s a movement for opportunity, empowerment, and community strength. ADG’s work is creating real pathways for young people who are gaining confidence, skills, and leadership. These efforts are not only changing lives today; they are building long-term capability for communities across Northern Australia.”

ADG Executive General Manager People, Culture & Community, Sandra de Kock, said the Report demonstrates the organisation’s deepening commitment to Indigenous inclusion, cultural recognition, and long-term partnership.

“This Report reflects ADG’s belief that airports are more than gateways for travel, they are gateways to culture, connection, and opportunity. The achievements of the past year show what is possible when Indigenous voices, cultural knowledge and local partnerships guide the way. This work strengthens the Territory, strengthens Northern Australia, and strengthens us as a business.”

This Report reflects ADG’s belief that airports are more than gateways for travel, they are gateways to culture, connection, and opportunity.

Key achievements featured in the Report include:

• Record participation in the Indigenous Training Academy (ITA)
• 16 trainees across seven areas of study
• 100% of graduates remain in employment or further education
• Growth in subjects - IT, business, electro tech, horticulture, cookery, and hospitality qualifications
• ITA graduates now mentoring the next generation

• Growth in Indigenous employment across ADG
• 21 Indigenous employees representing ~8% of ADG’s workforce
• 40% increase in full-time Indigenous employment
• Employment across terminals, IT, resorts, technical teams, and the ASA grounds team

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• Stronger cultural partnerships and leadership
• Expansion of the Indigenous Advisory Committee to six respected members
• Co-designed cultural initiatives with Larrakia Nation and Lhere Artepe
• Cultural trail tours delivered to national and international delegations
• Cross-cultural training delivered to all corporate and frontline teams

• Indigenous tourism enhancement
• Major new artworks including Wurrkal by Sarrita King
• Gurambai Cultural Trail becoming a national model for cultural tourism
• Partnerships with Indigenous businesses through the Travel Gateway platform
• Significant increases in resort occupancy and cultural visitor engagement

• Community investment across remote and regional NT
• Support for Purple House, Desert Harmony Festival, Parrtjima, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, Garrmalang Festival, and youth programs
• DSO Outreach programs reaching more than 260 students in remote communities

• Indigenous procurement and economic participation
• Procurement partnerships with Indigenous businesses
• First-time purchase of 700 ACCUs from Arnhem Land Fire Abatement (ALFA) supporting Indigenous-led carbon projects across 80,000+ km²

Launching the Report, ADG emphasised its long-term vision to position NT airports as gateways to Aboriginal culture and experiences, building a stronger, more inclusive, and economically resilient Northern Australia.

Download the Indigenous Engagement Report 2024/25