Regional Services

Territory Growth Towns

The Territory Government is committee to make our largest, strategically placed communities into proper towns. The Working Future strategy will see Indigenous communities transformed over time into Territory Growth Towns that:

  • are properly planned and designed
  • have services, buildings and facilities like any other country town
  • benefit from targeted investment in infrastructure.

These towns will become the economic and service delivery centres for the regions, including people living on outstations and homelands.

The Territory Growth Towns are Ali Curung, Angurugu, Borroloola, Daguragu/Kalkarindji, Elliott, Galiwin'ku, Gapuwiyak, Gunbalanya, Lajamanu, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Ngukurr, Ntaria, Numbulwar, Papunya, Ramingining, Umbakumba, Wadeye, Wurrumiyanga, Yirrkala and Yuendumu.

The Australian Government also recognises 15 of the Territory Growth Towns as priority Remote Service Delivery sites including the communities of Angurugu, Galiwinku, Gapuwiyak, Gunbalanya, Lajamanu, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Ngukurr, Ntaria, Numbulwar, Wadeye, Wurrumiyanga, Yirrkala, Yuendumu and Umbakumba. These sites will receive improve access to government services and facilities and better support for Indigenous community governance and leadership.
Communities were selected based on factors including:

  • significant concentration of population
  • anticipated demographic trends and pressures
  • potential for economic development and employment
  • pre-existing shortfalls in government investment in infrastructure and services
  • potential to build on other significant investment already in progress or on community-based initiatives.

Each Territory Growth Town will have a Local Implementation Plan (LIP) built around the Closing the Gap Building Blocks of early childhood, economic participation, governance and leadership, health, healthy homes, safe communities and schooling. 

Over the next year Future Forums will be held in each Territory Growth Town to provide an opportunity for the communities to access information on a range of government, non-government and private sector programs and services including how to start and run a business, home ownership, job creation, and cultural and sporting events.