The Snown Mountains Engineering Corporation was established by the Snown Mountains Engineering Corporation Act 1970 (No 39 of 1970) as a body responsible for major civil engineering projects,
particularly those relating to water resources (e.g. construction of dams) or hydroelectric schemes. It was authorised to conduct those projects, to provide technical advice and assistance or to provide management control of engineering work undertaken by other bodies in Australia and overseas. The Corporation derived from the
engineering element of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electrict Authority (CA 75) and since its establishment has primarily operated in a consultancy role.
 
The Darwin Branch Office of the Corporation was apparently
established by 1984, when it first appears in the Commonwealth Government Directory. The exact date of its establishment is
subject to further research, as is its internal structure or
staffing.
 
The role of the Darwin Office (and its structure) are subject to further research. The 1984/85 Annual Report of the Corporation (Commonwealth Parliamentary Paper No 409 of 1985, p 90) states that the Branch Officers are "fully set-up working offices established to deal directly with the Corporation's clients". Pages 21 to 22 of that same Report covered activities undertaken by the Corporation in the Northern Territory, including ADP based flood studies,
consultancy work relating to the Stuart Highway, an assessment of storm-water drainage, advice about engineering aspects of grain- handling facilities and on consultancy about electrical reticulation.  

Historical agency address
Darwin Plaza Building, 41 The Mall, Darwin
Legislation administered
Creation: Commonwealth of Australia Acts No 39 of 1970, Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation Act 1970