PLANS to deploy additional Marines to the Top End continue to be delayed while Australia and the US figure out the final details.



The original plan was to have a 2500-strong Marine Air Ground Task Force in the Territory until 2020. However, issues such as cost-sharing have caused delays in the number of Marines who can be stationed in the Top End.



The NT News reported in April that one of the problems was which country would pay for the toilets, as well as other housing and utilities, including power and sewerage. It appears these negotiations are still continuing, with only 1250 Marines here this dry season.



US military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported Australian Defence Force officials said in an email the next rotation was still unclear.



