Equatorial Launch Australia shifts focus to new Queensland spaceport site

Written by Copernical Team Sunday, 15 December 2024 10:28

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 13, 2024

Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) has announced the immediate cessation of operations at the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory, citing unresolved lease negotiations. The company will relocate its spaceport to a new site in Queensland, marking a significant shift in its operational strategy. The decision stems from the Northern Land Council's (NLC) repeated delays in approving a

Equatorial Launch Australia shifts focus to new Queensland spaceport site
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Dec 13, 2024

Equatorial Launch Australia (ELA) has announced the immediate cessation of operations at the Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory, citing unresolved lease negotiations. The company will relocate its spaceport to a new site in Queensland, marking a significant shift in its operational strategy.

The decision stems from the Northern Land Council's (NLC) repeated delays in approving a Head Lease essential for expanding the Arnhem Space Centre. Formal negotiations began in January 2022, yet the NLC missed self-imposed deadlines for approval four times within the past year. Despite continuous efforts by ELA, the Northern Territory Chief Minister's Department, and the Gumatj Corporation since February 2024, the NLC neither issued the lease nor provided explanations for the setbacks.

ELA had planned to expand its operations on land managed by the Gumatj Corporation, the traditional owners of the Gove Peninsula site. This land includes a disused bauxite mine adjacent to the spaceport. The delays jeopardized ELA's contractual obligations with launch clients and a critical funding round, ultimately making the continuation of operations in the Northern Territory untenable.

In response, ELA's Management and Board decided to abandon lease negotiations and secure a new equatorial site in Queensland. Collaborating with the Queensland Government, ELA identified Weipa on Cape York as the location for the 'Australian Space Centre Cape York'. Planning and regulatory approvals for launches scheduled in Q3 2025 are now underway, with further details about the site expected soon.

This relocation marks the end of an ambitious investment effort in the East Arnhem region, which included over $100 million in planned funding, $3.6 billion in projected economic benefits, local job creation, and STEM opportunities for regional students. Despite this, ELA expressed gratitude for the steadfast support from the Northern Territory Government and the Gumatj Corporation throughout the spaceport's eight-year history.