Across property, tourism, trade and investment, the signs are pointing firmly toward recovery. The story they tell is one of confidence, resilience and opportunity. 

Recent Property Council NT Quarterly Reports highlight a sector beginning to bounce back. 

Residential building approvals have surged more than 50 percent, construction activity has lifted to $905 million and rental vacancy rates have tightened across the board. In Alice Springs, house prices jumped from $440,000 to more than $500,000 in just a year, with sales up by more than 30 per cent. 

These are not just numbers – they signal renewed confidence from investors and the community, suggesting the market is repositioning for sustainable growth. 

Of course, challenges remain. Affordability and housing supply continue to test policymakers and industry. And while the upswing is welcome, we must remember it follows years of slow or negative growth. A 10 percent lift is encouraging, but it’s only the start, not the finish line. To turn green shoots into long-term strength, we must continue to push hard on reforms, streamline approvals, and maintain an attractive environment for investors and residents. 

Tourism tells a similar story. The sector now contributes about $3 billion annually to the Territory’s economy, supporting more than 17,000 jobs and growing by more than 7 percent year-on-year. Tourism consumption has risen by nearly 5 percent, showing that visitors are spending more, staying longer and experiencing more of what the Territory has to offer. Initiatives such as Territory Growth are already unlocking millions of dollars in new investment and infrastructure support across Central Australia. 

The national picture is also encouraging. According to the latest CommSec State of the States report, the NT is leading the nation in annual economic growth, new dwelling starts and home lending. Construction activity alone has grown by more than 5 percent, reinforcing that the Territory’s economy is not just stabilising – it is expanding. 

Investment and trade are central to this story. July’s inaugural Northern Territory Investment Summit brought together international investors looking closely at agriculture, energy, defence and infrastructure opportunities. 

Discussions around population growth, workforce attraction and liveability highlighted the Territory’s unique competitive advantage and the reforms still needed to unlock it. Importantly, the government’s new Rebuilding the Economy Strategy 2025–28 sets clear priorities across housing, energy, defence, tourism and workforce development, ensuring momentum is maintained. 

It’s against this backdrop that the Property Council NT will host a breakfast event on November 20, bringing together leaders in tourism, investment and trade. The timing could not be more important. With confidence returning, this event offers a platform to share insights, drive collaboration and showcase the Territory’s potential. 

If October is about recognising the Territory’s resilience through October Business Month, then November is about harnessing it. Property, tourism, investment and trade are all trending upward, but the real task now is to keep building on that trajectory. The NT cannot afford to rest on early signs alone. 

With continued drive and collaboration across business, government, and the community, the Territory is poised not just to recover, but to surge ahead.