Darwin Major Business Group

An independent voice on economic development in the Northern Territory.

Darwin Major Business Group (DMBG) brings together senior business leaders to contribute informed, constructive and long-term perspectives on the Territory’s economic future.

About DMGB

Darwin Major Business Group Ltd (DMBG) is an independent, member-based organisation established to provide a considered business perspective on the Northern Territory’s economic direction.


DMBG operates as a platform for collaboration, analysis and advocacy, with a focus on long-term economic outcomes for the Northern Territory.

Key Initiatives & Partnerships

AEC Economic Report

 Independent economic analysis of the Northern Territory

Facing North

National engagement on Northern Territory opportunity

Investment Summit 2025

Delivered in partnership with the Northern Territory Government

What We Do

Economic Analysis & Insight

DMBG supports evidence-based discussion through commissioned research and economic reporting on the Northern Territory.

Advocacy & Policy Engagement

We engage constructively with governments and decision-makers to inform policy settings that support sustainable economic growth.

Convening & Dialogue

DMBG fosters informed discussion on investment, workforce and development priorities involving business, government and the community.

Latest from DMBG

Santos commences first Beetaloo Basin appraisal well

September 8, 2026
Another tangible milestone for the Beetaloo Basin . Santos Ltd has commenced drilling its first appraisal well in the Basin as it works to establish the commerciality of its acreage. Territory-based Exact Contracting completed the well pad, access tracks and key road intersection upgrades required for the drilling program. That local involvement matters. It demonstrates how Territory businesses can participate as activity advances, but maximising the benefits locally will require deliberate preparation. The Territory needs to be ready with the workforce and skills, housing, roads, pipelines and other enabling infrastructure, industrial land and supply-chain capability required to support development at scale. The objective must be to retain more of the jobs, expenditure and expertise created here in the Territory. That is the central question being examined through DMBG’s independently commissioned Beetaloo Development Outlook: how development could progress from early production to a mature industry, and what the Territory must do now to be ready. DMBG congratulates Santos on reaching this appraisal milestone and Exact Contracting on its role in getting the drilling program underway.

Darwin’s growth requires planning today

September 8, 2026
The Regional Australia Institute ’s latest work, highlighted in today’s NT News , raises a question Darwin can no longer afford to leave unanswered: will we plan for growth, or wait until growth exposes every gap? The answer is not to build blindly on the promise of population growth. Nor is it to wait until housing, water, energy, roads, health and education are already under pressure. It is to plan early, protect the land and infrastructure corridors needed, complete the business cases, and stage investment against credible demand. Darwin already performs functions of national significance across defence, energy, logistics, trade and services to northern Australia. But major projects and strong headline economic growth do not automatically create lasting prosperity. Success must be measured by Territorians who choose to stay, local businesses winning work, skills and capability built here, housing people can afford, and infrastructure that supports both industry and the community. That requires population, economic and infrastructure planning to operate as one system, with the Commonwealth and Territory governments clear about priorities, responsibilities and timing. Darwin’s future growth should not be something we react to after capacity is exhausted. It should be something we prepare for and shape in the interests of Territorians. This is how we invest in ourselves. Click here to read the RAI research report.

Sitzler’s defence success highlights opportunity for Territory business

September 7, 2026
Important analysis from Colin Storey , and a significant Territory story within it. Data from defencecontracts.com.au places Sitzler Pty Ltd among Australia’s top 20 Defence suppliers over the past decade, with seven contracts over $100 million and a combined value of $2.25 billion. It is an impressive achievement for a long-established, Australian-owned Territory company. More broadly, it demonstrates what capable Territory businesses can achieve when procurement settings give them a genuine opportunity to compete. That opportunity was hard won. Master Builders Northern Territory previously led a Territory campaign that resulted in more NT businesses being able to quote for and win Defence work. That history matters now. With Defence investment across Northern Australia continuing to grow, success cannot be measured by the value of announcements alone. It must also be measured by the Territory businesses winning work, the local jobs and skills being created, and the lasting sovereign capability being built in the north. Territory businesses are not asking for work to be handed to them. They are asking for fair and accessible procurement processes, and a genuine opportunity to compete on merit. Sitzler’s place on this national list demonstrates what can follow when that opportunity exists. The challenge now is to open the door wider for more Territory businesses. Note: Sitzler Managing Director Steve Margetic is Chair of the Darwin Major Business Group. Defence suppliers data source: https://lnkd.in/p/geBnBHnH