NAIF CEO Visit Marks Infrastructure Investment and Indigenous Participation at Darwin International Airport Precinct

Airport Development Group (ADG) welcomed Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), Neil MacDonald, to the Darwin International Airport precinct late last week, noting the role of NAIF financing and ADG’s Indigenous participation and community engagement across Northern Australia.

Mr MacDonald met with ADG executive Rob Porter and Senior Business Development Specialist, Carly Clarke, undertaking a tour of key NAIF-supported infrastructure projects across the precinct, including works strengthening runway capability, airside infrastructure, and precinct resilience.

Airport Development Group has been a recipient of NAIF financing for major infrastructure upgrades designed to improve aviation reliability, strengthen supply chains, and enhance connectivity between the Northern Territory, the rest of Australia and international markets.

The visit also recognised the recent NAIF reporting noting progress in Indigenous engagement, participation, and community benefit across funded projects, priorities shared by Airport Development Group through its infrastructure delivery program.



NAIF-supported projects at Darwin International Airport Precinct contribute to broader goals of:

• increasing Indigenous employment and training opportunities during construction and operations
• supporting local and Indigenous businesses through procurement opportunities
• strengthening long-term economic participation for Northern Territory communities and
• delivering infrastructure that creates lasting social and regional benefits.

NAIF investment has enabled significant infrastructure works across the Darwin International Airport precinct. Beyond the physical upgrades, these projects are creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous employment, local industry participation and community engagement, outcomes that are central to how we deliver infrastructure in the Territory.

Upgrades to runway and supporting airfield infrastructure play a critical role in improving operational resilience, enabling defence, freight, tourism, and emergency response capability while supporting future growth across Northern Australia.

ADG Executive General Manager Airports – Rob Porter

“NAIF investment has enabled significant infrastructure works across the Darwin International Airport precinct.

Beyond the physical upgrades, these projects are creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous employment, local industry participation and community engagement, outcomes that are central to how we deliver infrastructure in the Territory.”

NAIF CEO - Neil MacDonald

“NAIF’s focus is on funding infrastructure investments that deliver lasting benefits for communities across Northern Australia.

It was valuable to see firsthand how Airport Development Group is progressing Indigenous participation and community engagement into major aviation infrastructure projects that strengthen connectivity and economic opportunity.”

NAIF provides financing for infrastructure projects that support regional growth, private investment, and long-term productivity across Northern Australia.

The visit reflects the ongoing working relationship between NAIF and Airport Development Group as both organisations continue working toward infrastructure outcomes that support economic development, community inclusion, and sustainable growth for the Northern Territory.