Business bulletin - 19 July 2018

Major projects and government facilitated projects are an important part of the Northern Territory (NT) economy. They create new jobs and unlock business opportunities for Territorians.

There are nine facilitated projects valued at over $30 billion and 14 projects with Major Project Status valued at over $20 billion in the NT. This equates to around 10,000 construction jobs and 3,000 jobs during their operational phases.

Check out this week’s business update to find out what’s in the investment pipeline.

The Development Consent Authority has given the green light for development of the $200 million Darwin luxury hotel at the Darwin Waterfront.

The Darwin Westin, which will be operated by Westin Hotels and Resorts will be a drawcard for high-end business and leisure visitors. The hotel will give also Darwin a significant edge in the lucrative business conference market and grow our relationships with our international neighbours and potential private investors.

The project is expected to create up to 500 jobs for Territorians during construction and a further 150 jobs ongoing in operation.

Local businesses will have the opportunity to tender for contracts. The developer has undertaken procurement processes to identify local capacity, through the ICN gateway.

Mike Hughes, Vice President of Landbridge Group said “we are very excited to see a world-class, luxury hotel coming to Darwin.

“We have been working with ICN gateway to assess local capability and this is a great opportunity for local businesses.

“Following the decision by the Development Consent Authority, we are on track for construction to commence this year.”

The Northern Territory Government is investing $17 million in public infrastructure which includes a 200m skywalk to connect the luxury hotel to the CBD.

Access to Darwin’s waterfront will not be impacted by the hotel. The developer will construct a new seawall, public footpaths and public boardwalk as part of the development, connecting through to Jervois Road and onto the cruise ship terminal.

Construction will commence on site this year and the hotel will open to the public in 2021.

The Aboriginal Contract Framework project team, including consultants GHD, have travelled across the Territory to hear the best and brightest ideas to inform the Aboriginal Contracting Framework.

Deputy Chief Executive Sibylle Brautigam said the response from stakeholders was very positive and thanked everyone for investing their time to participate.

“The team have held 32 workshops across the Territory, listening to our stakeholder’s ideas, insights and thoughts,” Ms Brautigam said.

“This first phase is critical. We understand that the development of an effective framework can only be achieved through stakeholder involvement, and by incorporating the expertise and ideas of participating stakeholders.

For a high-level summary of the feedback received so far, the themes which emerged and the next steps go to www.acf.nt.gov.au

The Have Your Say website is updated regularly as the consultation process progresses. The website hosts updates about the consultation process and provides opportunities for submissions and feedback to be shared. To get involved or provide feedback go to www.acf.nt.gov.au or email acf@nt.gov.au

The Northern Territory’s business and investment potential has been showcased to a global audience, with major international delegations visiting the Top End.

More than 200 delegates from Australia and China attended the inaugural One Belt One Road conference in Darwin last week.

Delegates heard from Chinese and Australian experts who explained China’s One Belt One Road / Belt Road Initiative Policy framework, the Developing the North agenda and other projects in the region.

The Northern Territory has some of the most compelling major project investment opportunities in Australia across a range of sectors, and is already home to significant world class projects such as the INPEX-led Ichthys LNG Project, Project Sea Dragon and the Darwin Westin hotel development.

The Territory’s close proximity to Asia and makes it a focal point for Australia’s investment and trade, and a hub for regional engagement. The conference provided a platform to link Chinese investors and Australian businesses with projects and ideas.

Earlier this month, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade brought a delegation of 70 heads of mission, including ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomatic personnel to the Top End.

The group visited leading agricultural research facilities Beatrice Hill Buffalo Farm and Coastal Plains Research Farm, where breeding programs and innovations in agricultural and horticultural research are helping local producers expand their yields.

They also visited the Charles Darwin University Centre for Indigenous Knowledges, Leadership and Education and toured the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre.

The two day tour was capped off with a trade and investment showcase for local businesses to promote their products and services directly to the diplomatic delegation.

The showcase included a virtual reality ‘paddock-to-plate’ tour highlighting the pastoral industry and unique creative industries operating across the Territory.

The heads of mission visit and One Belt One Road Conference are part of several inbound and outbound international delegations planned for the coming months to help grow the economy and attract people to visit, live, work, study, invest and trade in the Territory.

The Sparkettes will be at the eagerly-awaited Skills, Employment and Careers Expo again this year telling young women: it’s good to get a trade.

The expo, which will travel to major centres next month is a one-stop-shop for anyone seeking to explore tertiary studies, training, work and career options.

Power and Water Corporation electrician Marnie Scobie and Ella Cavallaro, who was the 2016 NT Training Awards Apprentice of the Year, started the Sparkettes as a support and mentoring group for women apprentice electricians about three years ago.

Although nearly all 15 members work as electricians for Power and Water or private companies, the group encourages women in all traditional trades.

“There’s absolutely no reason why women shouldn’t be tradies,” says Marnie. “We tell young women, ‘If you want to go into a trade, then do it - it’s worthwhile’.”

She says it’s no longer unusual to see women 'on the tools' but the Territory was still behind other jurisdictions.

Sparkettes will run a Try’a Skill stand at the Skills, Employment and Careers Expo, participants will be guided through fun hands on activities and discover the type of skills required for an electrical trade.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to try their hand at various skill and trades including carpentry, plumbing and hairdressing and discuss career pathways with industry experts, trades people, apprentices and vocational education and training trainers.

Job seekers in Darwin and Alice Springs will also be able to view job listings at the expo on their smart phones and other devices to email on the day.

For the first time this year the Darwin expo will be held on a Saturday, with the addition of a Sensory Friendly Hour from 9am to 10am on Saturday 25 August for participants and their families to enjoy a quieter, less-crowded visit to the expo.

For more information view Skills, Employment and Careers Expo.