The Northern Territory Government is taking action to maintain safe and reliable ferry services at Cullen Bay. Urgent maintenance dredging works are set to begin later this month.
Minister for Infrastructure and Logistics Bill Yan said the expedited dredging project would safeguard the continued movement of more than 150,000 ferry passengers each year, particularly those travelling to and from the Tiwi Islands and Mandorah.
“Ferry services from Cullen Bay are vital for so many Territorians,” said Yan. “We’re getting this project underway earlier than expected to keep people connected, protect access, and ensure services continue safely and reliably.”
The Northern Territory Government owns and maintains the Cullen Bay ferry facility, which includes the access channel, basin, ferry terminal, gangway, pontoon, rock groyne and associated parking infrastructure.
SeaLink operates about 150 ferry services annually between Darwin and the Tiwi Islands and around 4,000 services to and from Mandorah.
Due to seasonal weather and sedimentation, the basin and entrance channel have silted up more rapidly than anticipated, impacting low-tide access for ferries and causing some delays and cancellations.
This has triggered the need for urgent dredging to restore safe, reliable access.
“The Department of Logistics and Infrastructure is doing everything we can to complete this work quickly and minimise disruption for passengers, operators and nearby residents,” Yan said. “The dredging will be conducted 24/7 to almost halve the project timeframe and ensure Cullen Bay is ready well ahead of the new Mandorah marine facility opening expected in July.”
The dredging is scheduled to begin in late May and is expected to be completed by July 2025, subject to progress.
A small section of Cullen Bay beach and the overflow car park will be temporarily closed for 3 days during mobilisation, and there may be short-term access restrictions to the ferry terminal and lock.
“This is responsible infrastructure management, protecting our harbour environment while delivering essential services,” said Yan. “We’re also planning ahead, with longer-term environmental approvals underway to allow quicker maintenance dredging in future.”
Any changes to ferry schedules will be communicated in advance by SeaLink and published on their website.
The Regional Harbour Master will also issue notices to Mariners, which are available online.
For more information, contact Darwin Harbour Infrastructure Projects on DHIP.DLI@nt.gov.au or +61 8936 5668.
