Business bulletin - 21 June 2018

A Northern Territory delegation has visited a range of potential investors across South East Asia to promote the Darwin’s international water theme park development opportunity.

The water theme park, which will be built, owned and operated privately, is expected to be a major drawcard for Territorians and visitors.

It is part of the Northern Territory’s Governments plan to rejuvenate Darwin CBD, create jobs, boost business and tourism and unlock further private investment.

The Territory delegation travelled to Indonesia and Singapore last month to encourage interest in the competitive bidding process currently underway.

An official also travelled to the Asian Attractions Expo in Hong Kong, where Pico Play, the Territory’s expert advisor joined them to promote the opportunity to the international industry.

The Asian Attractions Expo is the premier international business event for attractions industry professionals in the Asia Pacific region. The event is attended by more than 8,000 attraction industry professionals from more than 50 countries and regions.

The visit is part of the broader marketing campaign to support the expression of interest (EOI) process to ensure developers and investors in our region are aware of the opportunity to bid to be part of this project.

Investor briefings are also be held across Australia and with local proponents in the Territory.

The Darwin Water Theme Park EOI closes on 22 August 2018.

The process to select a preferred developer is expected to be completed by early 2019. Pending approvals, works on the site could commence in late 2019 or 2020.

Businesses, community groups and not-for-profits are delivering a range of projects to help make international student’s Territory experience great.

International students are an important part of the community. They strengthen cultural, social and economic partnerships and bring the world to Territorians.

There are more than 2,400 international students from over 68 nationalities currently studying in the NT, and the industry contributes $88 million to our economy.

Check out our business update to see how Amy Hetherington from Amiable Communications is using her grant to deliver a development workshop series at the Darwin Student Hub.

The Territory’s top employers, trainers and individuals have been recognised for their excellence in the vocation, education and training sector, by being named as finalists in the NT Training Awards.

This year a record breaking 85 nominations were received and a new category was introduced, the International Vocational Student of the Year. This new award will be presented to an international student who has demonstrated commitment and excellence in their vocational studies.

Hasting Deering, who won Medium Employer of the Year in 2017, are aiming for back-to-back wins, named a finalist in the same category this year.

The company, who specialise in the sale of Caterpillar equipment, and parts and services have been operating in the Northern Territory for around 70 years. They have 114 local employees and 26 contractors with business centres in Darwin, Alice Springs and Nhulunbuy.

Hastings Deering has its own registered training organisation and has developed training packages tailored to specific areas of the business, always striving to be on the cutting-edge and ensuring the safety of its people.

The company believes much of its financial success in the Northern Territory is directly attributable to its training, safety and after sales expertise of its staff.

NT Training Award individual finalists will be put through their paces during the Ambassador Weekend preparation in June. The weekend provides finalists with professional development sessions and valuable networking opportunities to help them confidently step into their judging interview and become ambassadors for the vocational, education and training sector.

The winners will be announced at the gala awards night in Darwin on the Saturday 22 September 2018. Tickets will be available to purchase mid-July.

The opening of a fish processing facility in West Arnhem will help unlock new market opportunities for the community’s local fishing industry and create jobs for Aboriginal Territorians.

The new processing facility will enable the Maningrida Aboriginal Coastal Licence (ACL) holders not only be a part of a sustainable fishing industry but also have access to workplace skills development opportunities.

The facility will allow products to be filleted, vacuumed packed and frozen, opening the way for the fishermen to sell their catch throughout the regions and in Darwin.

About 150kg of fish, including mullet, blue salmon, queenfish and trevally, are processed each week.

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation enterprise manager, Clem Bresson says the aim is to increase production and create full-time jobs.

“The men are very proud to be doing this work,” he says.

“We have no trouble selling the fish. We’re happy putting healthy food into the community.”

The Department of Primary Industry and Resources, Aboriginal Fishing Mentor program supports ACL holders to develop small-scale fisheries which can then become a possible stepping stone into larger-scale fishing ventures.

The Aboriginal Fishing Mentors regularly visit remote communities to provide training in commercial fishing and processing skills including, fishing techniques, how to maintain equipment and cold chain management.

Certificate level training is also being delivered through the engagement of a registered training provider, the Australian Maritime and Fisheries Academy, to further build the skills of the licence holders and their crew.

The Maningrida fishing processing facility has been supported by a $67,000 Northern Territory (NT) Government contribution.

ACL holders have also received funding from the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation through the Aboriginal Business Development Program to support the growth of their fishing enterprise.

The first grant was used to buy an ice machine, shipping container-cool room, generator and power connection. This enabled the men to fish for longer and work in with the tides to improve efficiency.

The second grant was used to buy a winch to help pull the nets in and a freezer unit for sending fish to Darwin.

The Maningrida initiative, which is supported by the federal Community Development Program, has been so successful that the NT Government is supporting other Aboriginal communities to develop similar businesses.

To learn more about the Aboriginal Coastal Licence and the economic development programs delivered by NT Fisheries go to the Department of Primary Industry and Resources website.

For information on support available to help your business start.run.grow. go to the start.run.grow website.

Bonnie Krnjic is one of more than 1,200 Territorians who have bought their first home using the Northern Territory Government’s First Homeowner program.

The program provides an almost $24,000 stamp duty discount for first homebuyers of an established home and a grant of up to $26,000 for eligible first home buyers of a new home.

To date, more than 900 people in the Darwin, Palmerston and the rural area have received the first homeowner discount, with 277 in Alice Springs and a further 36 people in Katherine.

Bonnie applied for the stamp duty discount to help her get into the Darwin property market and set herself up for the future.

“The relief on the stamp duty was a massive help and eased the financial pressure that comes with buying your first home. I definitely would not have purchased my home if it wasn’t for the program,” Bonnie said.

The majority of homeowners, purchasing established homes, are also taking advantage of the $10,000 renovation grant.

Bonnie said the renovation grant helped her transform her home from an outdated space to a sleek and modern apartment.

“I used the renovation grant to change things that I thought would make a difference and add value to the house, including installing a security door and replacing fly screens, replacing all curtains with custom made and resurfacing both the kitchen and two bathrooms,” she said.

Homeowners can also use up to $2,000 of the $10,000 grant towards household goods. To ensure there is a maximum benefit for the territory, local businesses need to be used for the renovations and the purchase of household goods.

For more information go to the First Home Scheme website.