Overview
Landbridge Port Pty Ltd as trustee for the Landbridge Darwin Port Lessee Trust is proposing to undertake one-off maintenance dredging activities in conjunction with bed levelling in Darwin Harbour to remove unconsolidated sediment such as clay, silt and sand from existing berth pockets, channels and turning basin at and adjacent to:
- Fort Hill Wharf on Lot 10187 Town of Darwin
- East Arm Wharf and the Marine Supply Base, Section 7219 Hundred of Bagot.
The quantity of unconsolidated sediment that requires dredging across the 3 locations is anticipated to be about 30,000m³. However, this will depend on the efficacy of bed levelling works that are also proposed to be undertaken.
Bed levelling will be applied to level out high spots of accumulated sediment in areas outside the Fort Hill Wharf berth pocket, and within the East Arm Wharf berth pockets, and the Marine Supply Base channel. The bed levelling will disturb about 4,000m³ of material at these locations, is considered small scale and likely to pose a low risk to the environment.
The dredging works will be carried out using a cutter suction dredge, with spoil being disposed of directly into the harbour via a floating pipeline, and into existing decant ponds at East Arm Wharf. The maintenance dredging works will occur over a period of approximately 2 to 3 weeks.
Why we are consulting
Your feedback plays an important role and will be considered by the NT EPA in deciding whether the proposed action requires environmental impact assessment, and if so the required method of assessment.
Consultation helps the NT EPA and proponent to identify issues of concern and potential effects, as well as get feedback from stakeholders on project options or potential mitigation measures.
The NT EPA has prepared guidance for making a public submission PDF (299.3 KB) that outlines when comments will be sought, how to make an effective comment and what will happen to your comment.
Statutory notice - 9 October 2026
The NT EPA invites public comment on a referral for standard assessment submitted by Landbridge Port Pty Ltd as trustee for the Landbridge Darwin Port Lessee Trust to undertake a one-off maintenance dredging campaign in conjunction in Darwin Harbour to remove unconsolidated sediment from existing berth pockets, channels and the turning basins. Approximately 30,000m³ of material requires dredging, with the spoil being disposed of directly into the harbour via a floating pipeline, and into existing decant ponds at East Arm Wharf.
The referral documents can be inspected and obtained below. Interested persons may make a submission by 6 November 2026. The NT EPA publishes this notice in accordance with regulation 52(1) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.
Documents
| Documents | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Referral | ||
| 1 | Referral Form | PDF 1.1 MB |
| 2 | Darwin Port Maintenance Dredging Works Referral Report | PDF 11.2 MB |
| Response to Regulation 40 – Direction to provide additional information | ||
| 3 | Darwin Port response to Direction to Provide Additional Information to the NT EPA | PDF 433.6 KB |
| 4 | Cumulative Impact Risk Assessment | PDF 401.1 KB |
| 5 | Appendix A – Self-screening tool for Sweep Bar Assessment | PDF 322.5 KB |
For more information about the referral go to the environmental impact assessment register for the Darwin Port Maintenance Dredging Campaign.