Editing Darwin, Northern Territory (section)

== Economy ==
[[File:Buildings in Darwin, Northern Territory, 2021, 08.jpg|thumb|Knuckey Street in the Darwin CBD]]
The two largest economic sectors are [[mining]] and [[tourism]]. Given its location, Darwin serves as a gateway for Australian travellers to Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/home-design/darwin-capitalises-as-the-gateway-to-asia/news-story/|title=Darwin capitalises as the gateway to Asia|work=[[The Australian]]|date=3 August 2013|access-date=22 July 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Manunda Place, opened in 2020.jpg|thumb|Manunda Place]]
Mining and energy industry production exceeds $2.5&nbsp;billion per annum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nt.gov.au/dpifm/Minerals_Energy/index.cfm?header=About%20Minerals%20and%20Energy|title=About the Minerals and Energy Group|publisher=Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines|access-date=16 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908210447/http://www.nt.gov.au/dpifm/Minerals_Energy/index.cfm?header=About%20Minerals%20and%20Energy|archive-date=8 September 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The most important mineral resources are gold, zinc, and [[bauxite]], along with [[manganese]] and many others. The energy production is mostly off-shore with oil and natural gas from the [[Timor Sea]], although there are significant [[uranium]] deposits near Darwin. Tourism employs 8% of Darwin residents and is expected to grow as domestic and international tourists now spend time in Darwin during the wet and dry seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/1011/AustResources |title=The Australian Resources Sector its contribution to the nation, and a brief review of issues and impacts |last=Roarty |first=Michael |publisher=Parliament of Australia |date=23 September 2010 |access-date=26 August 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407211713/http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/1011/AustResources |archive-date=7 April 2012 }}</ref> Federal spending is also a major contributor to the local economy.
Darwin's importance as a port is expected to grow, due to the increased exploitation of petroleum in the nearby Timor Sea and to the completion of the railway link and continued expansion in trade with Asia. During 2005, a number of major construction projects started in Darwin. One is the redevelopment of the Wharf Precinct, which includes a large convention and exhibition centre, apartment housing including [[Outrigger Pandanas]] and [[Evolution on Gardiner]], retail and entertainment outlets including a large wave pool and safe swimming lagoon. The [[Chinatown]] project has also started with plans to construct Chinese-themed retail and dining outlets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nt.gov.au/waterfront/news/newsletter/2005/pdf/200504Transformation.pdf |title=Darwin City Waterfront |access-date=13 May 2007 |work=Northern Territory Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070604233555/http://www.nt.gov.au/waterfront/news/newsletter/2005/pdf/200504Transformation.pdf |archive-date=4 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Darwin Waterfront by eGuide Travel (2) - 13345956583.jpg|thumb|[[Darwin Waterfront Precinct|Darwin's Waterfront]] is a popular tourist hub]]

=== Tourism ===
Tourism is one of Darwin's largest industries and a major employment sector for the Northern Territory. In 2005–2006, 1.38&nbsp;million people visited the Northern Territory. They stayed for 9.2&nbsp;million nights and spent over $1.5&nbsp;billion.<ref>[http://www.tourismnt.com.au/ Tourism NT]. Tourism NT.</ref> The tourism industry directly employed 8,391 Territorians in June 2006, and, when indirect employment is included, tourism typically accounts for more than 14,000 jobs across the Territory.

Darwin is a hub for tours to [[Kakadu National Park]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/|title=Kakadu National Park|website=parksaustralia.gov.au|language=en-au|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref> [[Litchfield National Park]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/find-a-park-to-visit/litchfield-national-park|title=Litchfield National Park|last=Government|first=Northern Territory|date=27 September 2017|website=nt.gov.au|language=en|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref> and [[Katherine Gorge]]. The year is traditionally divided into the wet and dry seasons, but there are up to six traditional seasons in Darwin. It is warm and sunny from May to September. Humidity rises during the green season, from October to April, bringing thunderstorms and monsoonal rains that rejuvenate the landscape. Tourism is largely seasonal, with most tourists visiting during the cooler dry season, from April to September.

=== Military ===
{{see also|Quadrilateral Security Dialogue}}
The military presence in both Darwin and the wider Northern Territory is a substantial source of employment.<!---some of the following could be in history---> On 16 November 2011, Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]] and President [[Barack Obama]] announced that the United States would station troops in Australia for the first time since World War II. The agreement between the U.S. and Australia would involve a contingent of 250 [[Marine Rotational Force – Darwin|Marines]] arriving in Darwin in 2012, with the total number rising to a maximum of 2,500 troops by 2017 on six-month rotations as well as a supporting air element including F-22 Raptors, F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and KC-135 refuellers.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Andrew|title=US Air Force plans to spread its fighting wings|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-31/usaf-plans-for-pacific-foreign-pol3bicy-magazine-report/4856112|work=ABC News|date=31 July 2013|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Commission|access-date=13 May 2014}}</ref> China and [[Indonesia]] have expressed concern about the decision.<ref>*{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/3ddd6756-102a-11e1-8211-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss |title=US to base 2,500 troops in Australia |newspaper=Financial Times |date=16 November 2011|access-date=17 November 2011}}
*{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-17/china-indonesia-wary-of-us-troops-in-darwin/3675866 |title=China, Indonesia wary of U.S. troops in Darwin |newspaper=ABC News |date=17 November 2011|access-date=17 November 2011}}</ref> Some analysts{{who|date=December 2019}} have argued that an expanded U.S. presence could pose a threat to security.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/us-build-up-no-threat-to-peace/story-e6frgd0x-1226194972352|title=US Build-up no threat to peace|date=15 November 2011|author=Paul Dibb|newspaper=The Australian}}</ref> Gillard announced that the first 200 U.S. Marines had arrived in Darwin from [[Hawaii]] on 3 April 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/04/first-200-us-marines-land-aussie-training-hub.html |title=First 200 US Marines land at Aussie training hub |date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305004010/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/04/first-200-us-marines-land-aussie-training-hub.html |archive-date=5 March 2016  }}</ref> In 2013, further news of other expansion vectors aired in U.S. media,<ref>Seth Robson (21 August 2013) [http://www.stripes.com/news/growing-us-presence-in-australia-to-include-aircraft-1.236402 Growing US presence in Australia to include aircraft – News]. Stripes. Retrieved 29 December 2013.</ref> with no comment or confirmation from Australian authorities. The agreement between the two governments remains hidden from public scrutiny.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/rules-for-us-troops-in-nt-kept-secret-20121110-29571.html Rules for US troops in NT kept secret]. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. (13 March 2012). Retrieved 29 December 2013.</ref> Marine numbers based in Darwin increased to more than 1,150 by 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=La Canna|first=Xavier|title=Marines arriving in Darwin|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/03/26/3971865.htm|work=105.7 ABC Darwin|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Commission|access-date=13 May 2014}}</ref> In a 2019 telephone survey of local residents, 51% of respondents had positive feelings about the U.S. troop presence, with 6% responding negatively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/survey-finds-that-us-marines-are-welcome-in-australia-s-northern-territory-1.579871|title=Survey finds that US Marines are welcome in Australia's Northern Territory}}</ref> In late 2021, the [[US Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] signed a contract to create a {{convert|300|e6l|usgal}} fuel storage facility at [[East Arm, Northern Territory#Business|East Arm]].

Darwin hosts biennial multi-nation exercises named "[[Exercise Pitch Black|Pitch Black]]";<ref>*{{cite news |last=Purtill |first=James |date=2 August 2014 |title=Air Force exercise Pitch Black takes off over Darwin and Katherine, residents brace for noise |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-01/residents-brace-for-noise-as-pitch-black-takes-off/5640390 |newspaper=ABC |access-date=28 August 2014 }}
*{{cite news |last=Yeo |first=Mike |date=26 August 2014 |title=Exercise Pitch Black Concludes in Darwin |url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/08/exercise-pitch-black-concludes-in-darwin/ |newspaper=The Diplomat |access-date=28 August 2014 }}</ref> in 2014 this involved military personnel from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Scott |first=Jason |date=27 August 2014 |title=U.S. Top Guns in Darwin Combat Drills as China Tensions Rise |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-27/u-s-top-guns-in-darwin-dog-fight-drills-as-china-tensions-rise.html |newspaper=Bloomberg |access-date=28 August 2014 }}</ref>