Builder announced for Mandorah Marine Facilities project

Approximately 110 local jobs are set to be created through Stage 1 of the Mandorah Marine Facilities project in the Northern Territory. 

Australian owned marine infrastructure specialist SMC Marine has been awarded a $63 million contract to design and build the Mandorah project. Detailed design is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2024, with construction of the facilities to follow suit. 

The successful tenderer, SMC Marine, presented an alternative concept design of the facilities that will help minimise the project’s environmental footprint, improve ferry accessibility and provide weather protection. This alternative concept design meets the desired outcomes of the master plan that includes Disability Discrimination Act compliance, and this will be presented to key stakeholders prior to detailed design. 

“Great news for the residents of Cox Peninsula with a specialist marine infrastructure company awarded the $63 million contract to build the Mandorah marine facility. 

“The existing Mandorah Jetty will be maintained to provide continued ferry services to residents and visitors while the project is underway. 

“The successful SMC Marine tender includes an alternative concept design of the facilities that is expected to minimise the environmental footprint, improve the ferry accessibility and provide weather protection,” Minister for Territory Development Eva Lawler said. 

SMC Marine, which is based in Sydney, will be establishing an office in Darwin as part of this project. The company is also committed to employing local people to build the project and will be engaging local sub-contractors as well as buying from local suppliers with about 70 per cent of the contract value proposed to remain in the Northern Territory. 

SMC Marine has chosen local Darwin based WGA Consulting as its design partner for the Mandorah Marine Facilities project. 

With this project, SMC Marine will have the opportunity to upskill local in the design, management and construction of specialist marine infrastructure. 

“The team at SMC Marine are very grateful to be awarded the contract to Design and Construct New Marine Facilities to Service Mandorah and the Cox Peninsula. We love designing and building places for the public to enjoy. 

“The boat harbour will greatly improve access and safety for ferry passengers between Darwin and the Cox Peninsula and provide a wide range of benefits for local recreational boat users. Our practical and durable design maximises the project’s impact for the local community. The works will be carefully planned and executed with our local NT partner, the Ostojic Group. 

“SMC Marine is a 23-year-old 100% Australian owned business that creates, designs and builds public marine places, and infrastructure,” SMC Marine Director Peter Phillipp said. 

Project layout (source: Investment Territory)

The Mandorah Marine Facilities project is being delivered as part of a more than $500 million marine infrastructure works pipeline over the next two years. The new facilities will help improve and maintain public transport services for residents and visitors to Mandorah, Wagait Beach and Belyuen. 

The Mandorah Marine Facilities project will include: 

• Two breakwater structures to provide protection from sea swells and wave action 
• Access improvements for people with disability and people who need mobility assistance, including wheelchairs and prams 
• Modifications to the car park layout to add car/trailer parking and additional bays for people with disability 
• Upgrade existing building to provide shade and toilet facilities for ferry passengers 
• New boat ramp 

The new facilities will make it safer for ferry users while also improving access for all users, especially people with disabilities, getting on and off the ferry. 

In addition, the project will provide a calmer harbour ferry berthing facility that can safely accommodate ferry vessels that operate between Darwin and Mandorah, and also allowing for future expansion. 

“It is great to see the upgrades to our marine facilities at Mandorah moving forward, this progress is the culmination of years of consultation with the communities I represent to ensure everyone’s needs are met, and the facilities are in line with community expectations. 

“The benefits of this project to the wider community, visitors far and wide and ferry service operation Sea Link will far outweigh the time it has taken to ensure this development is done to the highest possible standard,” Member for Daly Dheran Young said. 

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom; Investment Territory (1, 2)