The Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has arrived in Darwin ahead of an expected announcement this morning that Inpex will build it’s multi-billion dollar gas plant in the city.

Mr Ferguson flew into Darwin late last night from Canberra after yesterday’s Parliamentary sittings along with Territory MPs and Senators.

He’s expected to make an announcement today that Japanese company Inpex wants to build its $12 billion liquid natural gas plant at Blaydin Point in Darwin Harbour.

The Territory’s Chief Minister Paul Henderson entertained Inpex executives at a restaurant last night, but a spokesman for Mr Ferguson said he arrived so late he hasn’t yet met with company representatives.

Inpex had been looking at building off Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast, but recently the Western Australia Premier said he wasn’t so confident about negotiations.

The coordinator of the NT Environment Centre says if a favourable announcement on the Inpex plant is made today, there’s little chance any environmental assessment will modify the project.

Charles Roche says the NT Government has failed to balance the environment and development, with the Chief Minister approving the deal a year ago.

“Certainly, if Ferguson’s here today, I don’t think there’s many people here in Darwin that believe that there’s even a remote chance that environment assessment will have any effect on whether this is approved or not.”

Territory Opposition Leader Terry Mills says any announcement will be a deal made with the Territory, not any one party.

Mr Mills says the announcement will mean the start of more planning.

“The national community will be nonetheless watching us to make sure we’re able to meet the challenges that come with such decisions and they’ll be planning decisions largely, so while they may be a party in celebration backslapping, if a decision is made in the favour of the Territory nonetheless there will be significant challenges.”