End-to-End Network Refresh at Manigurr-ma Village — A 3,500-Bed Defence Facility

Manigurr-ma Village, named after the Larrakia word for the Stringybark tree, is one of Australia’s largest accommodation sites. Located in Howard Springs on a 67-hectare footprint, the village was originally built to support FIFO workers and is now repurposed as a military barracks under the Northern Territory Government.

With a capacity of 3,500 beds and growing reliance on digital services, the facility faced major challenges from its ageing WDM and GPON networks, outdated Wi-Fi, and obsolete core network infrastructure. To support daily operations, defence personnel, and essential systems such as Building Management Systems (BMS) and CCTV, the site required a complete technology overhaul.

To ensure ongoing performance and security, the entire solution was also delivered under a managed service, enabling long-term operational support and proactive maintenance.

• Outdated WDM, GPON, Wi-Fi, and Switching Equipment: Existing infrastructure no longer met the needs of modern users or operational systems.
• Poor Wireless Coverage: Inconsistent connectivity negatively affected productivity, morale, and access to digital resources.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Legacy firewalls and configurations failed to meet government cybersecurity standards.
• Mission-Critical Service Dependence: Systems such as BMS, CCTV, and access control required reliable, isolated connectivity.
• Environmental Pressures: Equipment needed to operate reliably in the Northern Territory’s harsh conditions with minimal on-site servicing.

The Northern Territory Government commissioned a complete, end-to-end refresh of the site’s digital infrastructure — including network design, installation, and ongoing management.

• GPON Fibre-to-the-Room Network:
  
  • Replaced legacy fibre infrastructure with high-capacity, centralised GPON to deliver reliable, efficient connectivity to all accommodation blocks.
• Enterprise Switching Infrastructure:
  
  • Modular Layer 2/3 switches delivered high-speed, fault-tolerant data transport and logical segmentation of networks.
• Fortinet Next-Generation Firewalls:
  
  • Deployed for site-wide perimeter defence, traffic inspection, role-based access control, and real-time threat mitigation.
• In-Room Wi-Fi Access Points:
  
  • Provided strong, stable wireless and Ethernet access in every accommodation room through discreet wall-mounted APs.
• Common Area & Outdoor Wi-Fi:
  
  • High-performance APs installed throughout mess halls, admin blocks, and outdoor walkways ensured full wireless coverage.
• Secure VLANs for BMS, CCTV & Critical Systems:
  
  • Isolated and prioritised services on segmented networks to guarantee uptime and security for infrastructure and monitoring systems.
• Fully Managed Service:
  
  • The entire network is supported under a managed service agreement, ensuring ongoing performance, security patching, monitoring, and 24/7 remote support.

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• Phased Rollout: Executed in stages to minimise disruption to active operations and maintain continuous accommodation services.
• Security-First Architecture: Designed in accordance with government and defence-grade cybersecurity principles.
• Remote Monitoring & Management: A centralised platform enables full visibility, diagnostics, and rapid response from the managed service provider.
• Environmentally Tested Equipment: All hardware selected for durability in high-heat, dust-prone, and remote NT conditions.

• 10× improvement in network performance, speed, and coverage
• Full site-wide wireless coverage, indoors and outdoors
• Stable, secure connectivity for operational systems including CCTV and BMS
• Reduced IT workload with proactive support and performance management under a managed service
• Improved quality of life for 3,500 residents and staff
• Future-proofed infrastructure ready for IoT, surveillance, and next-generation defence technologies

The Northern Territory Government has successfully transformed Manigurr-ma Village into a digitally enabled, secure, and scalable defence facility. Through a fully managed service, the 3,500-bed, 67-hectare site in Howard Springs now boasts state-of-the-art connectivity, robust cyber security, and seamless support for mission-critical systems like BMS, CCTV, and access control. The village is now well positioned to support current operations and future technology expansion.