Business bulletin: 4 October 2019

Caption: Steve Goat of Rise PC with Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

Outstanding Territory businesses have been recognised for their contribution to our export industry at the 2019 Chief Minister’s Export and Industry Awards.

This year marked the 26^th year of the awards, which are coordinated by the International Business Council, Chamber of Commerce NT and supported by major partners the Northern Territory Government.

There were 18 categories across export and industry awards, with accolades for businesses in exporter, local and student categories.

Rise Project Consulting (known as Rise PC) won the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation Industry Innovation Award for their innovative work applying drone and 3D scanning technology to remote community construction projects.

Steve Goat, a carpenter with over 20 years construction industry expertise, started Rise PC at the beginning of 2018 based on one simple idea - that drones and 3D scanning could make construction projects safer, quicker and more accurate

“Rise PC believes that innovation is not always about disruption or creating something new - it can also be about applying technology in a new way,” Steve said.

As a construction expert Steve has been able to apply the technology through the eyes of a builder.

Steve has spent over ten years costing, scoping, inspecting and managing remote northern Australian construction projects and saw how drone and 3D scanning technology could revolutionise project delivery in remote communities.

Using external drone flyovers, internal 3D scanning, specialist software and construction expertise Rise PC is able to create digital 3D models of any built structure bringing the remote construction site to a desktop anywhere in the world - with the ability to measure and scope within the virtual 3D model. Bringing the site online has resulted in:

• contractors being provided with more accurate scopes of work which results in less cost contingencies and more cost savings
• reduced risks of inspecting, scoping and managing remote projects, especially in extreme tropical climates
• reduced impact on the communities by reducing the need for multiple visits
• remote communities that are exposed and engaged in the opportunities of digital technology.

Rise PC is passionate about upskilling the next generation and run a ‘Drones in the Real World’ education program at O’Loughlin Catholic College, and is looking to expand this program to the remote communities it works in.

Full list of 2019 Chief Minister’s Export and Industry Awards winners are:

Export award categories

• Seven Darwin NT Exporter of the Year - Australian Ilmenite Resources
• Territory FM Small Business Award - International College of Advanced Education
• StudyNT Education and Training Award - Charles Darwin University
• Pacific Labour Facility Agribusiness Food and Beverage Award - South East Asian Livestock Services
• Darwin Port Minerals, Energy and Related Services Award - Australian Ilmenite Resources
• Austrade Emerging Exporter Award - Alana Kaye College
• Chamber NT Technology and Innovation Award - Plant Sensors
• International Business Council Professional Services Award - Pressure Dynamics
• NT Business Council Sustainability Award - Monsoon Aquatics
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Regional Exporter Award - Tourism Central Australia
• Manufacturers Council Manufacturing Award - Australian Blue Cypress.

Local categories

• Department of Trade Business and Innovation Industry Innovation Award - Rise PC
• Department of Trade Business and Innovation Resource Supply and Service Award - Wilkinson Engineering
• ICN NT Manufacturing Industry Award - Steeling GRP
• Ichthys LNG Project Indigenous Business Award - Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation
• Chamber NT Local Content Award - Sunbuild.

Student categories

• StudyNT International Student Winner - Jurse Joseph Salandanan
• International Business Council Business Student Winner - Erika Mae Lu.

Caption: Callidus Process Solutions Technician Lucia Marzano at the Ichthys LNG onshore facilities.

The future is positive for the service and supply industry supporting the oil and gas sector in Darwin, according to a local business man.

Nelson Baptista, Area Operations Manager (NT) for Callidus Process Solutions, said a valve maintenance contract with INPEX on the Ichthys LNG onshore processing facilities is supporting a constant flow of work for their team.

“We’re conducting recalibration and maintenance works on valves both on site at the Ichthys LNG facilities and in our own workshop at Yarrawonga,” Nelson said.

“As a result of the contract we’ve been able to appoint three new apprentices, two technicians, a store-person, an engineer and a new administrator to our workforce.”

Callidus Process Solutions currently employs 22 people in Darwin and Nelson is confident contracts such as the one with INPEX will support ongoing opportunities for locals.

“With two gas plants here in our home town, I’m sure we can only keep growing into the future if we meet our customers’ needs.”

INPEX Maintenance Manager Mark Wilson said local contractors had been delivering a strong value to the Onshore Operations team for a number of years.

“It’s great to see employment opportunities growing with our local contractors, including Callidus, as a result of our contracts,” Mark said.

A Boundless Digital Forum has been developed to present a range of digital initiatives taking place both here in the Territory and internationally. Did you know that there are now innovations that monitor the health of livestock in transit? Drones that can deliver medicine and anti‑venom to remote locations? Telecommunications developed right here in the Territory?

The digital economy is undoubtedly a key part of the future of the Territory. Following the launch of the NT Government’s Digital Territory Strategy in late 2018, involving Territory businesses and ensuring they are part of industry discussions to grow the Digital Territory is a key initiative of this strategy.

Those interested in identifying what can be done to enhance the digital economy in the Territory are encouraged to register for this free event, taking place at the Darwin Innovation Hub on Thursday 10 October 2019 from 1pm to 7:30pm.

The Boundless Digital Forum is a partnership between Department of Corporate and Information Services, Department of Trade, Business and Innovation and the Australian Computer Society (ACS) to deliver a forum that focuses on:

• horizon scanning - what’s coming
• innovation - what’s currently being done
• growth areas - Economic Development Framework and opportunities.

Presented in two sections, the afternoon, entitled Digital Possibilities, is a lightning round of innovations, followed by a digital workshop Q and A session with key business experts, including Michael Ackland from Vocus Communications and Verghese Jacob from FMevolution.

The evening session is the Digital Gateway to Asia with a range of high profile panellists from leading digital enterprise communicating how the Territory can best attract investment from Asia and project itself and export into Asia. This panel will be facilitated by CEO of ACS, Andrew Johnson with Siobahn Hayden from HashChing, Steve Rowe from SRA Information Technology and Andy Cowan from the Department of the Chief Minister leading the discussions.

Places are limited. Interested attendees are encouraged to register immediately on EventBrite Boundless Digital Forum page.

Caption: Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Cassie Deacon-Casey from Darwin will be one of the speakers at the Women in Aviation roadshow in Darwin and Alice Springs this month.

Adult women seeking a career change and female school students who may be interested in a career in aviation are encouraged to attend an Aviation Australia’s Women in Aviation roadshow visiting Darwin and Alice Springs this month.

Aviation Australia estimates female aircraft engineers make up just 1.9% of the workforce and pilots less than 15%.

To encourage more females to consider a career in aviation and increase diversity in the field, Aviation Australia will run sessions in Alice Springs and Darwin for women and young girls interested in an aviation career. They will meet successful women within the industry and gain insight and encouragement.

The sessions will feature a panel and Q and A with women currently working in aviation and interactive displays. The sessions will provide key information on aviation careers and pathways available to women to increase uptake across all areas of the industry, promote vocational education and training in schools training available.

Dates and venues are:

• Alice Springs - one session on 16 October, 10am to 12 noon, at Chartair Hangar (old Pearl Aviation), Alice Springs Airport
• Darwin - two sessions on 18 October, from 9am to 11am and 3pm to 5pm, at Careflight, Lancaster Road, Darwin Airport.

To book contact Aviation Australia by email ebonie.campbell@aviationaustralia.aero or phone 07 4034 8101.

Caption: Watch the Nightcliff Tigers kick off their 2019/20 premiership defence and hear about the synergies between success in business, sport and life during October Business Month.

Witness the first game of the 2019/20 TIO Northern Territory Football League season - the grand final rematch between Nightcliff and Southern Districts - from the Michael Long Leadership and Learning Centre function room and hear from entertaining footy figure Gilbert McAdam during an inspiring event that highlights there are many synergies between sport and business.

Tackling Business is a team effort between AFLNT, Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre and October Business Month. These events will look at business through the eyes of sport, showing you how to lead the pack, tackle the hard questions and fire up small business owners.

Featuring special guest speakers, Tackling Business attendees will learn about getting through tough times, building winning teams, overcoming challenges, leadership, and looking after yourself and your teammates.

Marngrook Footy Show panellist, AFL commentator and former St Kilda and Brisbane AFL footballer McAdam will share his inspiring and motivational story at half time of the NTFL season opener.

As well as a chance to hear from McAdam, who was inducted into the AFLNT Hall of Fame in 2014, the function this Saturday offers a chance to network with other business owners and leaders while catching the first match of the season from the OBM corporate box.

To book, go to the OBM event booking portal.

Major changes to regional migration program will come into force in November 2019. These changes may impact local businesses looking to engage overseas workforce.

MigrationNT will host information sessions in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek to prepare Territory employers for the upcoming migration changes.

The sessions will cover new skilled regional visas, changes in points test, closure of certain visas and transitional arrangement, and Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement II.

Attendees at the sessions will have the opportunity to discuss with the MigrationNT team about pathways for your business to get the right skills.

Session details are:

• Alice Springs: Monday 7 October 2019, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Doubletree by Hilton, 82 Barrett Drive
• Tennant Creek: Wednesday 9 October 2019, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Battery Hill Mining Centre, 160 Peko Road
• Darwin: Monday 14 October 2019, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Novotel Darwin, 100 The Esplanade
• Katherine: Tuesday 15 October 2019, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Knotts Crossing Resort, corner Giles and Cameron Street.

Light refreshments will be provided. For more information please contact the MigrationNT team at the Department of Trade, Business and Innovation by phone 08 8999 5254 or email migration@nt.gov.au