A program to eliminate the exotic mosquito capable of transmitting the dengue virus, Aedes aegypti, has been under way in Tennant Creek since 22 February 2004. This followed the finding of this mosquito via routine adult mosquito trapping on 17 February 2004. Further surveys by the Medical Entomology Branch (MEB) of the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) of the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) have indicated to date that the dengue mosquito is firmly established in Tennant Creek. Elimination of this mosquito will take a major effort by health and local authorities as well as by the general public in Tennant Creek.

This first Annual Report 2010 provides readers with a snap shot of the Northern Territory profile of chronic conditions and the progress against each of the eight key action areas outlined in the CCPMS Implementation Plan.

A biting insect assessment was conducted at the Andranangoo Creek West and Lethbridge Bay West mining prospects from the 29th September to the 1st of October 2005. This included detailed ground surveys for actual and potential mosquito breeding sites, assessment of aerial photography for potential mosquito and biting midge breeding sites, and initial adult biting insect trapping at both mining prospects. The early report production meant that information from subsequent peak season adult biting insect trapping in November 2005, and January and May 2006 had to be produced in a separate supplementary report. Therefore some conclusions in the first report were drawn based on field inspections and desktop observations, and not on trap data. The following report highlights the findings of the supplementary trapping, with new conclusions in regards to mosquitoes and biting midges. Trapping conducted for the Andranangoo Creek West and Lethbridge Bay West Biting Insect Assessment Report (Warchot & Whelan 2005) is referred to as ‘initial trapping’ in this supplementary report.

Matilda Minerals Limited (Matilda) proposes to develop sand mining operations at Andranangoo Creek West (Andranangoo) and Lethbridge Bay West (Lethbridge), Melville Island, Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory. The proposed operation will extract high grade heavy minerals (HM), specifically zircon and rutile, for export to China. It is estimated that a total of 99,000 t of zircon and rutile will be exported during the anticipated sand mining operation over three and half years. A proposal to mine both sites was submitted to the NT Government in the form of a Notive of Intent Document (URS, 2005). The NT Government determined the project is to undergo formal environmental assessment in the form of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS). Part of the EIS process is to conduct a biting insect assessment of the general project areas to determine any public health risks to workers and the potential for mining activities to alter the natural environment and create further biting insect breeding sites. The Medical Entomology Branch was commissioned by URS Australia on behalf of Matilda Minerals to undertake a biting insect assessment at both proposed sandmining sites.

It is assumed that mosquito breeding areas within proposed residential development will be rectified as a matter of course, as the suburbs are developed. However, there are a number of mosquito breeding sites that are outside the suburban area that will require rectification as soon as possible, before considerable numbers of residents move into the area.

The Blacktip Project consists of both offshore and onshore components. The onshore components include the construction and operation of an onshore processing plant, construction and operation of 3km of buried onshore pipeline, and the construction of access roads and construction camp. There were potential biting insect concerns associated with these onshore components of the Blacktip Project. EcOZ Environmental Services was commissioned by Woodside Energy Limited (Woodside) to assist in the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Blacktip Project. EcOZ Environmental Services then commissioned the Medical Entomology Branch of the Department of Health and Community Services to provide information on biting insects likely to affect the Blacktip Project.

Milingimbi is an Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land, 206 km West from Nhulunbuy. The population is 920 (NT government intranet, 30/6/2003). The community is located on Milingimbi Island. Near the end of February 2003 the Milingimbi community council expressed concerns over increased mosquito numbers to Environmental Health, who requested the Medical Entomology Branch to visit the community, assess the situation and advise on strategies to reduce mosquito problems. Two MEB officers visited Milingimbi on 7-9 April 2003 and carried out a comprehensive biting insect survey, including biting insect trapping, larval mosquito surveillance and a receptacle survey. The results of this survey and the assessment are presented in this report. A mosquito survey had previously been carried out in Milingimbi in 1983, and was documented in a MEB branch report.

There are many examples of development in the Darwin region that have led to enormous populations of a range of mosquito species, severely effecting residents in nearby areas and requiring costly rectification. To aid planners in their design of the proposed Newton development, the Medical Entomology section of the department of Health and Families has made collections of biting midges and mosquitoes form march 1984 to April 1985 in and around the proposed development area between the Elizabeth and Blackmore Rivers, south-west of Palmerston. Additional surveys of biting midge breeding areas were made in late 1987. This report analyses the result and suggest methods of minimising the adverse effects of the biting insect present in the proposed development area, and outlines some construction guidelines to avoid exacerbating the problem.

Culicoides ornatus Taylor is known to be a significant biting pest around the north coast of Australia (Reye and Lee 1962, Reye 1991, Wbelan 1991a). Darwin, the principal city in the Northern Territory, has existing and proposed urban areas adjacent to various extensive areas of mangroves in Darwin Harbour which are regarded as probable sources of biting midge pest problems. This paper outlines the results of the biting midge investigations in the Darwin South area with specific reference to C. ornatus. It discusses the implications of the results on the behaviour and possible breeding sites of C. ornatus and suggests a methodology for biting midge surveillance as an aid to urban planning.

Biting midges are small blood sucking flies in the family Ceratopogonidae. They are commonly referred to as "sandflies" in northern Australia. The term "sand fly" is a misused term for a number of families of small biting flies. Culicoides ornatus is becoming an increasing problem across northern Australia due to urban development encroaching nearer to their major breeding places. They can impose serious restrictions on outdoor activities within flight range of their mangrove breeding sites due to the extremely annoying and painful bites, and to the discomforting after effects of the bites.

Compass Resources NL is proposing the development of the Browns Oxide mine, located in the Northern Territory approximately 65km south of Darwin and 7km north-west of Batchelor (Figure 1).The project is currently under construction. Compass Resources NL proposes to utilise open cut mining methods and a conventional hydrometallurgical process to extract approximately 3.9 million tonnes of oxide ore and produce copper, cobalt and nickel over a four year period (Public Environmental Report (PER) - Enesar Consulting Pty Ltd 2005). Mine sites have the potential to create or exacerbate mosquito breeding, from the creation of water dams, wetland filters, borrow pits, sediment traps, pit water discharge, waste water disposal, as well as the construction of roads and mine waste dumps. Mine sites also have the potential to introduce new mosquito species into the Northern Territory, such as the dengue mosquito Aedes aegypti from North Queensland, if equipment is sourced from this area. Therefore, all major development in the NT is required to consider mosquito breeding during the Environmental Assessment process, to ensure development does not create new mosquito breeding sites.

The Northern Territory (NT) has a unique population with cardiac service being provided across a large proportion of the country. Current access to cardiac rehabilitation in the NT is predominantly based in the urban centres of Darwin (and Palmerston) and Alice Springs. Patients living in rural and remote regions and Indigenous patients are currently largely underserviced [4]. In order to address this, a strong framework for cardiac rehabilitation has been developed and now must be implemented and evaluated.

We were commissioned by the Northern Territory (NT) Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS) to carry out a review of current service delivery models for the prevention, early detection and management of cardiac services in the NT, and to develop a 10-year cardiac services plan.

The Central Australian Alcohol Public Awareness Campaign (CAAPAC) began in January 2011. The four key objectives of the campaign were: To demonstrate that excessive alcohol consumption is a whole of population issue. Demonstrate to the community the impact that excessive alcohol consumption has on family structures. Educate the community about the impact of alcohol consumption on the individual's health and wellbeing. Inform the general public that, if excessive alcohol consumption is interfering with their own life or the lives of people close to them, that help is available, to individuals, partners, or families should they want to give up drinking, help someone else give up or learn to drink at safer levels.

The Northern Territory has the highest burden of disease in Australia, and our response to improve this situation presents a significant challenge for all Territorians. The Northern Territory Chronic Conditions Prevention and Management Strategy 2010-2020, provides the framework for improving population health and well being across the Territory through reducing the incidence and impact of chronic conditions on our communities.

The Chronicle is a newsletter that delivers timely updates and summaries on NT and interstate projects, innovations and related activities in the area of chronic disease.

The Chronicle is a newsletter that delivers timely updates and summaries on NT and interstate projects, innovations and related activities in the area of chronic disease.

The Chronicle is a newsletter that delivers timely updates and summaries on NT and interstate projects, innovations and related activities in the area of chronic disease.

The Chronicle is a newsletter that delivers timely updates and summaries on NT and interstate projects, innovations and related activities in the area of chronic disease.

The Chronicle is a newsletter that delivers timely updates and summaries on NT and interstate projects, innovations and related activities in the area of chronic disease.