Business bulletin - 1 March 2018

A new student hub has opened in the heart of the Darwin CBD, injecting vibrancy by bringing more students into the city centre and supporting local businesses.

The Darwin Student Hub is open to all Territory students as a central space to access information, activities and support. It will provide free wi-fi for students and be available for events and activities to student and community groups.

The Darwin Student Hub is a collaboration between the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation and Charles Darwin University. Training providers and university representatives will be on site to provide full support to students.

The hub is also an important part of the Northern Territory’s Governments $100 million investment to revitalise Darwin CBD.

The Westin Darwin Hotel is continuing to progress, and Landbridge has been working in collaboration with the Northern Territory Government to deliver this iconic project.

The project will deliver a gateway for travellers to the Top End providing economic and employment opportunities as well as a connected and activated precinct for the residents of Darwin.

The design includes an uninterrupted public access walkway connecting Jervois Park to the Waterfront and enabling a continual walking and cycling path to Stokes Hill Wharf.

“We’re holding two community information sessions which we invite community and industry alike to attend, where we will have project team members on hand to talk through the design and images of the hotel, residential tower and the Skywalk,” said Andy Payne, Project Director, Landbridge.

“Following the community information sessions we will lodge relevant planning and development applications in March 2018 with the aim of achieving development approval by end of May 2018. Once approved, this will enable construction to begin third quarter 2018.”

“Our commitment to local contractors and suppliers continues with procurement for early works commencing in May 2018. We have been working with a number of industry groups to ensure that there is maximum opportunities for locals to be a part of this significant project. Pending relevant approvals construction will get underway later this year,” he said.

Community information sessions are on Saturday 3 March 2018 between 10am and 2pm and Monday 5 March between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at the Charles Darwin University Waterfront Campus on Kitchener Drive.

For further information go to the Landbridge Darwin Hotel website.

ConocoPhillips has outlined their plans for further investment and job creation in the Northern Territory (NT).

The company confirmed major progress in securing more gas to ensure the ongoing operation of Darwin LNG. A feasibility study, jointly funded with the NT Government also indicated a positive future for further expansion of Darwin LNG.

The key finding of the feasibility study found that Darwin LNG could be expanded to produce LNG at a globally competitive price.

The feasibility study also highlighted that there are several major gas discoveries in northern Australia that are stranded with no route to market.

Only one of these gas discoveries will be used to backfill Darwin LNGs existing train, which means there are remaining stranded gas reserves to support a future expansion and second train.

Darwin LNG directly supports over 250 local jobs and creates an average of around $100 million per year in supply and service opportunities for businesses. An expansion would see thousands of local jobs and significant business opportunities.

The feasibility study was a pioneering collaboration between the 11 energy companies and the NT Government to look at a way to commercialise these projects.

The Northern Territory Government is stepping up its international engagement to grow the economy and attract people to visit, live, work, study, invest and trade in the Territory.

The new International engagement, trade and investment strategic plan 2018 to 2021, outlines the steps the Northern Territory Government will take to strengthen relationships and connections to deliver growth in exports and increased investment - the four key goals include:

• Grow partnerships:
  The Northern Territory Government will expand its engagement with international partners and deliver more capacity building programs in health, disaster recovery, emergency services, primary industries art and culture
• Grow trade:
  Lead high-level international engagement missions for Northern Territory businesses, and work one on one with territory businesses to identify and pursue export opportunities.
• Grow investment:
  Leverage the Economic Development Framework, Infrastructure strategy and 10-year Infrastructure plan for inward investment.
  Work with industry to identify and address gaps around scale and supply to attract investment.
• Grow connectivity:
  Support the increased use and expansion of air and sea ports and gas pipeline infrastructure by the private sector to meet the needs of education, tourism and export and investment growth across the Territory.

Promote the Northern Territory as a freight and logistic hub for Australia and Asia.

The Territory government will work collaboratively with local and international industry, governments, communities and businesses to deliver the actions outlined in this strategic plan.

Team NT will also play a key role in delivering the updated strategic plan and will work with other prominent Territory representatives, including the Administrator, the National Defence and Security Advocate and the Northern Territory international trade and investment representatives in key neighbouring countries.

Get a copy of the International engagement, trade and investment strategic plan 2018 to 2021.

Do you know a Territory business, organisation or individual doing outstanding things in the vocational education and training (VET) sector?

Nominations are now open for the 2018 NT Training Awards, which recognises excellence and achievements by Territory businesses, training organisations, trainers, apprentices, trainees and students.

The awards offer finalists the chance to gain personal success and take up opportunities in their industry, and be recognised as part of an elite group of ambassadors who represent the Territory’s best in vocational education and training.

Winners of the Northern Territory Training Awards receive up to $4,000 cash and have the opportunity to represent the Territory at the Australian Training Awards.

A gala dinner to celebrate the winners of this year’s awards will be held on Saturday 22 September 2018.

To nominate for the NT Training Awards, visit trainingawards.nt.gov.au

Keep up to date with the latest news by following the NT Training, Skills and Careers Facebook page.