We have covered the future NT project horizon previously and it’s a very positive story. The challenge is very much how we are going to take advantage of that with the current skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workforce shortages facing us.
It is a national problem, of course, but it will inevitably be more challenging in remote areas of the country where recruitment is difficult at any time. Training our own will always be top of the priority list but it is so competitive across all industries that the options will be exhausted relatively quickly. Poaching from interstate, whilst always actively pursued, hasn’t had a major impact over the years but in these times it’s an even more difficult task.
Overseas recruitment has always been a fallback option which has produced good results. It’s unfortunate the Federal Government has extended its Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) beyond the NT to other areas of Australia, effectively watering down the advantage we had in addressing our remote location. If I take our own office as an example, I’m not sure the opportunity COVID provided to clear up the backlog of visa applications was grasped. We have 4 staff still in the queue.
The emerging post-COVID environment has inevitably seen a surge in visa activity. However, if you haven’t already done so, it might be time to have a chat to a migration agent.
Kevin Peters
Chief Executive Officer
Company Showcase
Winnellie Group - June 2022 Showcase Company
Established in Darwin in 1983, Winnellie Group is a proudly family-owned-and-operated Australian business built upon over 65 years of combined knowledge, insights and experience in providing specialised products and services to cornerstone industrial sectors across Australia.
Saunders International currently have two available opportunities on the Bulk Fuel Storage ICN Gateway page. These are; 014 Fire Water Tanks and Pipework Systems and 017 Electrical Instrumentation and Control Installation.
Santos have an available opportunity on their ICN Gateway page. The package of work is SAN-CCS-002 Compression Package. To stay informed on all project activity create an expression of interest against the 'General updates' feature.
Tamboran Resources have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jemena to enable to contract roughly 100 TJ per day of firm capacity through the Northern Gas Pipeline.
Tranche 3 work packages closed in June. One work package remains open for the provision of workers accommodation for MBTA. Awarded package WP210A Nackeroo Airfield Upgrade - Civil Works.
Airport Development Group has awarded the package for Darwin International Airport - Terminal Control Centre (TCC) Expansion Project. To view the awarded contractor, follow through to the ICN Gateway page.
Infrastructure Australia announced that the AA PowerLink project has met all requirements of the Infrastructure Priority List, advancing the project to Stage 3 Investment-ready status.
Newmont currently have two available opportunities on the Tanami Expansion ICN Gateway page. These are; C4012 Construction of Fixed Plant Workshop and C4013 Construction of Mixed Use Precinct
Subsea 7 package - BAR-031 Hotstab and PLR Valves has been awarded. To view the awarded contractor or to keep updated on all project activity, follow through to the ICN Gateway page and express interest with 'General Updates'.
Lendlease package - T025 Stormwater Bunds has been awarded. To view the awarded contractor or to keep updated on all project activity, follow through to the ICN Gateway page and express interest with 'General Updates'.
Santos package - Brownfields Projects Engineering and Procurement Services has been awarded. To view the awarded contractor or to keep updated on all project activity, follow through to the ICN Gateway page and express interest with 'General Updates'.
Central Petroleum Limited advises that on 27 June 2022, the Palm Valley 12 (PV12) well in OL3, Southwest of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory was at a depth of 2,278m in the P4 unit of the Pacoota Formation.
TNG Limited is pleased to advise that it has appointed Australian-based engineering and construction company Clough, as TNG's Lead engineer and preferred EPC contractor for the delivery of its Mount Peake project.
PNX Metals has increased its NT exploration footprint in an area highly prospective for gold, base metals, and uranium. PNX has satisfied the terms with private operators Oz Uranium and Rockland Resources, covering two granted Mineral Leases, one Mining Lease Application and five Exploration Licences.
The Finniss Lithium project is progressing well and remains on track to ship its first spodumene concentrate by the end of the calendar year 2022, subject to the successful ramp-up of the Grants open pit, DMS plant and crusher and no further COVID-19 or weather-related delays.
The preparations for the commencement of the Carpentaria-2H fracture stimulation are well advanced. Equipment and crew are being mobilised and multi-stage fracture stimulation is expected to commence in the first week of July
Provaris has lodged a Referral submission to the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NTEPA) for its proposed 2.8 GW Tiwi H2 Project on the Tiwi Islands. The submission is at first stage of the NTEPA assessment process, with a decision expected in October 2022
I had the pleasure this month of meeting up with clients and discussing upcoming projects for the Central Region.
Although this month was light on industry events, I have been busy doing site visits and onboarding businesses onto the ICN Database. I have also been assisting the ICN team with the Industry Capability Mapping and Gap Analysis for Central Australia.
For all ICN-related questions or help with setting up/updating your ICN profile please feel free in emailing me at jarrad.falkenberg@icnnt.org.au or giving me a call at 0409 559 440, I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Kind regards,
Jarrad Falkenberg
Industry Advisor – Central Region
From Katherine
This month I had the pleasure of attending the Australia-Asia PowerLink presentation of their draft Environmental Impact Statement. Businesses were able to raise questions with the representatives and have a great discussion about the project. The project is progressing well with projected timeframes indicating works to commence in the first quarter of 2024. For more details on the project please proceed to the Sun Cable landing page on ICN Gateway www.suncablent.icn.org.au.
We continue the capability mapping exercise and I would like to remind you of the importance of ensuring your profile and all offerings are up-to-date. If you need any assistance with this, please let me know.
As always, assistance is just a telephone call or email away. Make some time to call into the office or let me know if you would like to make an appointment. I can be contacted either on 0409 527 604 or email colin.abbott@icnnt.org.au.
All the best, Colin Abbott
Industry Advisor – Katherine Region
From East Arnhem
East Arnhem has been flat out with everything space related. If you haven't been watching the news, NASA successfully launched its first commercial rocket from the Equitorial Launch Australia facility in East Arnhem. The township of Gove has seen an increasing amount of tourism due to this exciting launch.
If you are a local East Arnhem business looking to understand ICN further or needing help updating your profile. Feel free in reaching out to one of our consultants P. 08 8922 9422 | E. enquiries@icnnt.org.au.
Regards,
Industry Capability Network – East Arnhem
Info for Business
Up to $50 000 for Local Businesses to Grow Export Capabilities
Territory businesses can now grow their export capabilities and enter into a new and existing export market, with the release of the new Global Trade Scheme Grant.
Contract Awarded to Seal 150 Kilometres of the Tanami Road
The $73 million tender has been awarded to local Territory business Exact Contracting for the construction for the first stage of the works, as well as the planning for the second stage.
The bid for a Northern Territory AFL Club has reached a new milestone with the awarding of a tender for a consultant to complete a Social Impact Evaluation.