Jabiru is a township under construction approximately 220 kilometres east of Darwin at the end of the Arnhem Highway. The township is being built to accommodate the personnel involved in uranium mining in the Alligator Rivers region.
Following the discovery of uranium in the Alligator Rivers region, the Department of National Development commissioned a study in 1972 of the future urban requirements of the area. The resultant report "Alligator Rivers Feasability Study for a New Regional Centre" recommended the establishment of one regional centre, centrally located, to provide all the urban facilities for mining and tourist development within 100 kilometres
of the proposed town. The Cities Commission of the Australian government authorised a detailed study of the
proposed township and the report entitled "Alligator River Northern Territory Regional Town Project" was prepared in 1973. This report included a site survey and town plan. The report gave a brief mention that there could be a potential problem in public health regarding vector borne diseases in the area. The report gave emphasis to the aesthetic qualities of the site but little regard to actual or potential mosquito breeding sites in the area.