Exact Contracting has secured a $122 million federally funded contract to upgrade essential power, water and sewer infrastructure serving Muṯitjulu, Maruku and Rangerville near Uluṟu in the Northern Territory.
The project will replace ageing utility networks and add renewable-energy infrastructure, including a 1MW solar array and a 3MW battery system, reducing reliance on diesel generation and improving service resilience.
Preparation works are expected to begin in October, with full construction targeted to start in January subject to weather. Completion is expected by late 2028.
A remote-infrastructure package with multiple workstreams
The scope combines power, water, sewerage and energy infrastructure in a remote operating environment. That makes the package more complex than a conventional utilities upgrade, with logistics, workforce accommodation, community engagement and environmental controls all forming part of delivery.
Exact Contracting, founded in the Northern Territory and now based in South Australia, has extensive experience delivering remote civil and infrastructure projects across Central Australia.
The Federal Government said the existing essential services in Muṯitjulu are more than 30 years old. Upgrading them is intended to improve reliability while also enabling future housing, health and community services.
Renewables reduce diesel exposure
The inclusion of solar and battery capacity gives the project an important operating-cost dimension. Remote communities can face high fuel and logistics costs when electricity systems depend heavily on diesel.
Adding local renewable generation and storage can reduce diesel consumption while improving resilience, particularly where the network is isolated from major grids.
The project also creates procurement opportunities across civil works, electrical systems, water infrastructure, storage, controls, transport and specialist remote-area services.
Community delivery will matter as much as engineering
Muṯitjulu sits within Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and is home to around 300 people, including Aṉangu Traditional Owners and other residents working in the community and park.
Government has said works will be planned in close consultation with local residents. Employment and training opportunities are also expected to form part of delivery.
An early works package completed in 2024 installed services to vacant land in the township and enabled the Northern Territory Government to proceed with 12 new homes.
The new $122 million contract significantly expands that infrastructure program and gives Exact Contracting a multi-year remote-utilities package through to 2028.
Source: Australian Government Ministers’ Media Centre, 29 September 2026.
Featured image: Simon Maisch / Unsplash.
