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

Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is a national strategy made visible in the North

July 30, 2026
Up to 100 aircraft and more than 2,500 personnel from 20 nations are participating across RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley. An exercise of this scale depends on more than the bases themselves. It relies on resilient north–south freight and logistics connections, skilled workers, adequate housing, capable local supply chains and communities able to sustain the activity. These are not simply regional development issues. They are part of the infrastructure and community capacity required to sustain Australia’s national capability in the North. The continuing development of RAAF Base Tindal , including the new MQ-4C Triton facilities, is strengthening Australia’s northern air and maritime surveillance capability. More than $166 million in contracts for the Triton facilities were awarded to Northern Territory businesses, including $7.5 million to Indigenous subcontractors. As DMBG prepares for Facing North 2026, our focus is on the practical enablers that allow the Territory to support national priorities while securing enduring economic and community benefits from that investment. National security, national resilience and northern development are closely connected. Strengthening the North strengthens Australia.

Halliburton proposal signals growing Beetaloo supply chain

July 27, 2026
A development application lodged by global energy services company Halliburton is a tangible indication that the Beetaloo supply chain is beginning to take shape. Halliburton is proposing a staged support facility within the Daly Waters Aerodrome precinct, including warehousing and logistics, equipment servicing, materials processing and workforce training. The proposal remains subject to the relevant planning and environmental approvals. However, it points to the broader capability and private investment that could follow the development of the Beetaloo Basin . The opportunity is bigger than any one facility. Government and industry need coordinated planning now for roads, aviation access, power, telecommunications, workforce and regional services, so projects can proceed efficiently and more jobs, contracts and economic value are retained in the Northern Territory. DMBG welcomes serious investment proposals that build long-term Territory capability. The task now is to ensure the enabling infrastructure and policy settings are in place to convert project activity into enduring regional development.

Infrastructure and policy will determine the Territory's data centre future

July 26, 2026
Data centres are emerging as a significant new economic opportunity for the Northern Territory. The NT Government has reported interest from 12 prospective data-centre proponents. Publicly announced proposals include Energy North’s Project Ares at Murranji and Beetaloo Digital ’s proposed integrated energy and data-centre development at Weddell. These remain early-stage proposals, but together they point to an emerging pipeline of nationally significant digital infrastructure. For DMBG, the opportunity extends beyond any single project, proponent or location. It goes directly to the purpose of Facing North: ensuring the Territory has the infrastructure, policy settings and coordinated government support required to convert its strategic advantages into enduring Territory and national value. Data centres require more than land. They depend on reliable large-scale energy, digital connectivity, water, transport infrastructure, workforce capability, housing, timely approvals and community confidence. The immediate task is to establish a clear Commonwealth-NT pathway for data-centre and AI infrastructure investment. This should provide greater certainty without pre-empting environmental assessments, commercial decisions or community consultation, and ensure that Territory businesses, workers and Indigenous Territorians share in the value created. The interest is real, but the projects are not yet assured. The decisions made now about infrastructure, regulation and investment readiness will determine whether the Territory captures this opportunity. Transparency note: Beetaloo Energy Australia , the parent company of Beetaloo Digital, is a member of DMBG. This post addresses the broader, proponent-neutral Territory opportunity and does not constitute endorsement of any individual project.