Sunil Matookchund
Director Transport Planning Services, Department of Logistics and Infrastructure
Public service is a place where you can serve the community and learn and grow.
Sunil Matookchund shares how moving to Darwin with his family opened the door to meaningful public service, strategic project work and a new Territory lifestyle.
When Sunil Matookchund moved to Darwin with his wife Natasha and their two young sons, he was stepping into a new country, a new community and a new chapter in his career.
Originally from South Africa, Sunil brought more than 2 decades of private sector experience across oil and gas, manufacturing and energy. With qualifications in chemical engineering, business and risk management, he was used to working through complex problems, developing projects from the earliest idea through to delivery, and balancing technical, commercial and community outcomes.
At DLI, he found the chance to apply that experience in a new way.
“Getting to work in my old backyard with Inpex and Santos from the other side of the fence was a dream job.”
Sunil’s journey with the department began through work on the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, a major project that gave him the opportunity to learn about the public sector while contributing to work with long-term significance for the Territory.
The project also introduced him to people across government, where the diversity of thinking and shared commitment to solving complex problems became one of the reasons he stayed.
Today, Sunil is Director Transport Planning Services. His work supports services across the Northern Territory, a jurisdiction he describes as twice the size of Texas.
His role involves leading specialised teams across environmental and sustainability, decarbonisation, land use management, gravel and geotechnical services, and transport planning. A typical day can involve checking in with teams, working through emerging issues, removing barriers and helping enable work across the agency.
“Every day is a challenge, never boring.”
For Sunil, that challenge is one of the most rewarding parts of working at DLI. The department’s breadth of work means there is always another problem to solve, another reform to shape or another opportunity to support better outcomes for Territorians.
He enjoys applying risk-based decision making for the greater good and working on projects where the choices made today can influence how the Territory grows, connects and develops into the future.
“Doing the right thing when no one’s looking is aligned with my values.”
Since joining DLI, Sunil has continued to grow through on-the-job experience, public sector leadership and mentorship. He has adapted his private sector skills to public sector work, learning how to apply risk management across enabling services and strategic projects in a government environment.
His work has connected him with agencies across government through projects such as Middle Arm and the Gas Corridor project, giving him a broader view of how complex Territory projects move from concept to delivery.
“I get to lead strategic projects, reforms and initiatives where the agency needs me. I love that.”
Sunil describes his team as enabling, collaborative problem solvers. Their work is highly specialised, but their culture is grounded in practical support, open conversations and shared purpose. Coffee sessions and safe-space discussions help the team stay connected and look after each other while working through complex and sometimes challenging issues.
The Territory has also become home for Sunil’s family. Arriving in Darwin during a major life transition, he was struck by the warmth of the people around him. The simple friendliness of people saying g’day helped his family feel less alone as they settled into a new country and community.
“The uniqueness and warmth of all the people you walk past saying g’day did not make us feel alone.”
For Sunil, life in the Territory has offered both professional opportunity and a rich family experience. Community celebrations, cultural events and the diversity of Darwin have become part of what makes living here meaningful.
He says public service offers something to be proud of: the chance to serve the community, keep learning and wake up with purpose.
“Something to be proud of.”
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