Several of the job-creating projects are planning to go into production in the next two-three years.

And Barkly Regional Council, under the leadership of newly appointed chief executive Chris Kelly and Mayor Sid Vashist, has not only begun to turn a corner but is rapidly emerging as a central pillar in the Northern Territory’s economic and governance revival.

After years of governance issues, including a succession of chief executives, administrative oversight in late 2023, and the dismissal of elected officials in mid-2024, the council needed transformational leadership.

That came in the form of Mr Kelly, a former chief operating officer at West Arnhem Regional Council, chief executive of Tropical Vets and a 15-year veteran of the Australian Army.

His combination of public service, operational acumen and crisis management experience — including a role in West Africa’s Ebola response — made him the right person for the job.

Since taking the helm in July 2024, the council has overseen a dramatic turnaround. A $12.1 million financial deficit has been reversed into a surplus, accompanied by a full organisational restructure, the launch of an enterprise bargaining agreement, policy overhauls, legal resolutions, a long-overdue staff survey, and the rollout of leadership training across the council.

“This transformation wouldn’t be possible without our new executive leadership team and dedicated staff,” says Mr Kelly. “The energy has changed — we’re more focused, more connected and more driven to serve our communities.”

The council also recently welcomed a new council following successful elections in November 2024. Together, Mr Kelly and Mayor Vashist are laying a strong foundation for long-term governance and regional success.

“The Barkly is no longer on the cusp of a boom that has been talked about for decades – in 2025, we have entered into an exciting new chapter.,” says Mr Vashist.

“With major investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, mining, and digital connectivity, we are unlocking opportunities that will strengthen our economy and create real outcomes for our people.

“As Mayor, I see the resilience and innovation of our communities every day – and I’m confident that the Barkly’s future will be driven by inclusive growth, regional pride and meaningful partnerships across all sectors.”

One of the leading economic drivers in the Barkly that the council is working collaboratively with is gold and copper-focused Tennant Mines.

The company has restarted large-scale, long-term mining to sustainably grow the Barkly economy, creating local jobs, and supporting local businesses and community organisations.

Construction and commissioning of a gold processing plant was ahead of schedule with commercial production started in June.

Tennant Mines owns three of the four historically highest producing mines in the Tennant Creek Mineral Field –- Nobles Nob, Juno and Warrego mines – and through a joint venture with Emmerson Resources controls about 80 percent of the field.

The 2021-2024 exploration program resulted in about 400,000 ounces of gold reserves, which equates to eight years of mining production.

An exploration program is on track to add a further 600,000 ounces of gold resources during 2025, further extending mining production.

“We will continue to invest in a significant exploration program to further extend mining production for decades to come,” says managing director and chief executive Peter Main.

The stage 1 Nobles project will produce 60,000 ounces of gold per annum with plans to ramp up to 100,000 ounces from a portfolio of open pit and underground mines, processing of legacy stockpiles, and remining of tailings and waste rock dumps from historical mines across the Tennant Creek Mineral Field.

The mined ore will be processed into gold ore at Tennant Mines central processing plant at the old Nobles Nob mine complex, 14 kilometres southeast of Tennant Creek.

Construction of the plant in 2024 and early 2025 created about 80 jobs. Jobs will increase as mining ramps up over the next two years to about 130.

Tennant Mines will complete its bankable feasibility study for its stage 2 copper expansion over the next 12 months for construction from 2027 and mining from 2028-2029.

The stage 2 expansion will add a copper circuit to the Nobles plant to produce copper concentrate from Tennant Mines Warrego mine and other mines around Tennant Creek.

Expansion will further extend the life of mining production and see up to 300 jobs based in Tennant.

Pan African Resources became Tennant Mines 100 percent shareholder in December 2024.

Mr Main says the $77.4 million investment by the UK-founded, Johannesburg-headquartered, $1.4 billion company is a vote of confidence in Tennant Mining’s projects and team – ”confirming our strength, robustness and resilience”.

“Pan African Resources strongly supports our commitment to sustainability, including creating and delivering environmental, social and economic benefits for local people, businesses and communities.

“We are proud to be one of the first of many major projects being developed in the Barkly that will create shared benefits and value for local people, businesses and communities.”

More than a third of Tennant Mines construction and commissioning workforces have been Territorians with more than 30 percent from Tennant Creek.

About 16 percent of its workforce identify as Aboriginal, almost all of them from Tennant.

The company’s suppliers have included 212 Territory enterprises, including 102 Barkly businesses, and 23 Indigenous suppliers, including six local Traditional Owner-owned enterprises.

“We will continue to buy local wherever feasible and support local suppliers to develop their capacities and capabilities to service the major projects in the Barkly.”

Tennant Mining has sponsored many community events, including the Tennant Creek Show, Tennant Creek Children’s Christmas Tree event, Barkly Rodeo, Desert Harmony Festival, Tennant Creek Turf Club Race Day and Barkly Futures Forum, as well as supporting Barkly sporting teams to take part in Territory and national competitions.

“We will continue and expand our sponsorship of a broad range of community organisations, events and activities that are important to local people to enhance the vibrancy of Tennant Creek and the Barkly,” says Mr Main.

“The Barkly has a bright future – and we are honored to be one of many contributing to that future.”

Other powerful economic drivers on the Barkly include the $30–35 billion Australia-Asia PowerLink project, which is set to be one of the world’s largest solar farms and is expected to inject $5 billion annually to GSP at its peak, and create 6800–14,300 construction jobs and 1100 operational roles.

Beetaloo sub-basin also extends into the Barkly region and is expected to contribute about $1 billion a year in gas revenue and employ from 6000 to 13,600 jobs.

Verdant Minerals’ Ammaroo Project is expected to produce two million tonnes per annum of phosphate, create 400 jobs during operations and contribute $400 million per annum to the GSP.

Fortune’s 3300-hectare crop project on Singleton Station is going ahead.

And tourism is growing – the 2028 solar eclipse is expected to attract 25,000 “eclipse chasers” to the region.

Mr Kelly and Mayor Vashist have been lobbying the Federal and Territory governments to consider where the Stuart and Barkly highways meet as a Defence logistics node linking the ADF’s logistic super base in Adelaide to their front-line forces in Darwin and Townsville.

This could also lay the groundwork for further investment in the region with an upgrade to the Tennant Creek Airport to support the growth of the region as well as a rail connection between Mt Isa and the Tennant Creek line.

The council sees Barkly’s progress not as a final destination, but a new beginning.

“We’ve stabilised the council, laid down strong foundations, and we are committed to ensuring we support the Barkly region that is booming in agriculture, mining, energy, and industry,” says Mr Kelly.

“With the support of the council and the community, we’re not just getting back on track — we are leading the way for the Northern Territory.” TQ