Business bulletin: 30 September 2021

This year’s line-up of October Business Month (OBM) keynote speakers will inspire Territorians as they each share their experiences, tips and advice for building a successful business.

The focus in each region is to give small businesses access to a high quality, content driven program featuring an exciting mix of masterclasses, workshops, networking events and Territory Success Stories. The line-up of keynote speakers this year includes:

Sean Soole: Sean’s mission is to empower leaders to create positive change in their lives, achieving their version for success and leave a legacy that goes beyond money.

Sean will share the 8 Pillars of Success framework that is key to building a better business. Whether you are a business just starting up, experiencing solid growth, or have plateaued to build a better business, the 8 Pillars will help you get where you are and where you want to be in business.

Following his keynote address Sean will deliver a Masterclass - Tools to build a better team. Sean will work with participants to develop two of the key tools to help build a better team.

Sean will present in person in Nhulunbuy, Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek.

Sarah Davidson: Lawyer turned entrepreneur, Sarah is a social media influencer who is taking the digital world by storm.

Seize your ‘YAY’ everyday! Sarah quickly realised that her corporate 9-5 wasn’t lighting her up, and found success in the digital space. She will share her experience and tips for creating your own space in the current digital landscape as well as breaking the autopilot of traditional success.

Sarah will present virtually in Alice Springs and Darwin. This presentation is by Digital Futures.

Gus Balbontin: Gus is an innovator, adventurer, alternative futurist and former Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer of Lonely Planet.

Dealing with disruption and change does not come naturally to humans. Gus will challenge your thinking so you can better understand what it takes to succeed in uncertain times.

Gus will present virtually in Darwin.

All keynote speakers will be supported by in person presentations from our Territory success stories. The Territory success stories include a diverse range of Territory business owners and entrepreneurs each of whom will bring their own local story to inspire and share practical tips with the business community.

The OBM program will open in Nhulunbuy on Tuesday 5 October 2021 and close in Darwin on Friday 29 October 2021.

As part of the OBM COVID-19 event safety plan all attendees must register to attend events.

Check out the full OBM program and register for events today on the OBM website.

Local business and industry are encouraged to provide feedback and help inform development of new strategy to grow the Territory’s maritime industry.

The Territory Government is developing a maritime industry development plan (MIDP) in consultation with industry as a blueprint to drive big picture economic development.

In 2019-20, $205 billion worth of goods were exported via northern ports which accounted for 62% of all goods exported out of Australia.

Darwin is rapidly growing as a centre for marine services and supply, supporting the operations of the Australian Defence Force and allied forces, Australian Border Force, the offshore oil and gas industry, commercial fishing industry, tourism industry and general maritime industry.

The MIDP will provide an industry strategic framework, which will include the development of the Marine Industry Park, the Darwin Ship Lift, berths for superyachts, a holistic approach to ports throughout the Territory, and a comprehensive workforce strategy.

A discussion paper has now been released for public and industry consultation that will focus on the following key aspects of the Territory’s maritime industry:

• service, supply and sustainment capability
• maritime industry growth catalysts - Marine Industry Park and Darwin Ship Lift
• port infrastructure and development, including for the cruise ship industry
• maritime workforce development - including examining the potential for the establishment of a maritime industry skills academy
• maritime districts within Darwin Harbour - Stokes Hill Wharf, Frances Bay Mooring Basin and the Hudson Creek Industrial Estate.

Territorians, businesses and industry are encouraged to provide their feedback on the Have Your Say website.

Caption: Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year, Savanne Canobie.

The outstanding achievements of the Territory’s best and brightest student, apprentices, trainers, training providers and businesses have been recognised at the NT Training Awards.

The 2021 finalists represented a wide range of industries including retail, community services, cookery, electro technology, digital technology, health, laboratory techniques, computer systems, rural operations, conservation and ecosystem management, beauty and business.

Nominations were received across the Territory including Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy, Katherine, Gapuwiyak, Alice Springs and Darwin.

Savanne Canobie, an electrical apprentice from Nhulunbuy, was awarded the Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year. She encouraged all young Territorians to take advantage of the endless opportunities apprenticeships can offer.

Darwin-based business, Power Concepts, awarded the Small Employer of the Year, have trained 20 apprentices over the past 13 years. They believe giving their staff top quality training will improve skills for their career and life.

The NT Training Awards are an official recognition of the achievements of Territorians, local businesses and training organisations that demonstrate excellence in vocational education and training.

The awards foster collaboration between businesses and training providers through innovative programs that strengthen the Territory’s skills base. The awards also offer finalists the chance to gain personal success and take up opportunities in their industry.

Some of the award winners will now go on to represent the Northern Territory at the Australian Training Awards on 18 November 2021 in Perth.

View the full list of NT Training Award winners.

The Territory’s biggest summer tourist campaign, the NT Summer Sale will return next month providing a much needed boost for tourism operators and businesses.

A $5 million cooperative campaign, Tourism NT has partnered with Australian travel retailers Helloworld Travel, Viva Holidays and Holidays of Australia to offer great Territory summer packages offering discounts of up to $1,000 on a Northern Territory holiday.

This year discounts are on offer for vaccinated holiday visitors travelling to the Territory between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022.

Fully vaccinated travellers can save on flights, accommodation, tours, attractions and vehicle hire, with a $200 discount for every $1,000 spent on a NT booking

“Tourism NT will be the first Australian tourism body to offer a vaccine incentive, cementing the Northern Territory as the premier COVID-safe travel destination,” said Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade Deputy CEO Andrew Hopper.

“As the Territory heads into its summer season, it is imperative that we continue to drive bookings, grow the value of holiday market and position the NT as an accessible, safe and affordable tourism destination, to support the NT tourism sector.”

The NT Summer Sale gives holiday makers the chance to experience the Territory’s rich cultural history, our iconic national parks or try a bit of outback luxury.

Territory tourism operators can access an industry toolkit with the NT Summer sale imagery on the Tourism NT website.

Caption: Dr Mazhar explaining the data from the satellite images.

Top End mango growers have been taking part in a three year trial to increase efficiencies in their business.

By using high resolution images from satellites to examine mango trees at different stages of growth, researchers were able to predict the crop yields to within 90% of the final figures of the fruit harvested.

Knowing how many mangoes they’re expecting to harvest has helped the growers better plan their equipment and staffing, and also given them an idea of how much supply they’ll have available before the mangoes even leave the orchard.

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s Horticulture Group Leader, Dr Muhammad Sohail Mazhar, said the five commercial growers who took part in the study across seven properties have found the data useful for planning.

“Just last week, I had a discussion in Katherine with one of our participants, and he was saying that, ‘yes, you have been so helpful for us’.

“Now they have organised their labour, they have organised their packing material and even other markets because they are capable of using this technology,” he said.

“So that is impressive feedback for us. It is great success and we are very proud of the trial.”

The Northern Territory Mango Industry Association’s President, Leo Skliros, represents growers from the more than $90 million local industry.

He said the data from the study was also used by growers to make decisions around product sales.

“Crop forecasting is an important part of the industry.

“It sets the guidance in our marketing strategy and also allows transport, retail, and labour

efficiencies.”

The Territory growers taking part in the research had several different varieties of mango, different management techniques and trees of varying ages.

The trial was jointly funded by the Northern Territory Government, the Australian Government and Hort Innovation, while the University of New England’s Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre (AARSC) was the project lead, with CQ University Australia, the Australian Mango Industry Association and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland also providing input.

University of New England’s Director of AARSC, Professor Andrew Robson, said the team is pleased with the study.

“Through this collaborative project the UNE’s AARSC team have identified two methodologies for predicting mango yield from satellite imagery, both of which are producing accuracies that exceed current commercial practice and as such have attracted great interest and participation from many Australian growers.

“These results have established Australia as a global leader in the adoption of satellite imagery for the yield estimation of horticultural tree crops.”

The data was presented at the 2021 Developing the North Conference hosted in Darwin, as well as the Australian Mango Industry Association’s August roadshow.

The researchers will now carry out further analysis of the information at the end of the harvest, with the data to be published by the project teams and distributed to growers.

To find out more about other trials the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is taking part in, view agricultural developments.

Last year the Australian Army announced a $1.24 million investment to pilot SPEE3D technology with the WarpSPEE3D Tactical printer to test the feasibility of deploying metal 3D printing capability.

This year SPEE3D has been working closely with the Army to train the first military Additive Manufacturing Cell (AMC) technicians who specialise in the production of 3D metal printed parts, from design to printing, machining, heat treatment and certification.

Over the three week trial the AMC technicians produced metal parts for the M113 armoured personnel carrier - a vehicle that has been used by the Australian Army for over 40 years. The aim of this year’s trial was to prove metal 3D printing can produce high-quality, military grade parts that can be validated and certified for use in the field. The success of this trial will demonstrate that additive manufacturing plays an important part in the future of Defence readiness.

Check out this video of SPEE3D technology being used during Exercise Koolendong 2021.

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The Northern Territory (NT) Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act (ICAC) 2017 has been in place since 2018. It was introduced to increase transparency and confidence in government and the public sector.

While it is primarily designed to address corruption in the public sector, businesses and other organisations can be caught under the ICAC Act for a number of reasons.

These include if you are:

• contracted by the NT Government, a council or a government-owned corporation
• an NT Government grant recipient
• tendering for NT Government, council or a government-owned corporation contracts
• dishonestly benefitting from the misuse of public resources
• applying for a license or permit to promote or protect health and safety, public health, or manage or commercially exploit resources
• delivering a service or performing a function on behalf of government.

If you have a contract or grant with the NT Government, you are likely a public body under the ICAC Act, and your employees, volunteers and contractors are likely public officers.

The Office of the ICAC offers free, tailored information sessions for organisations about their obligations under the ICAC Act.

To arrange an information session email icac.communications@icac.nt.gov.au or phone 8999 4018.

For more information or to report improper conduct go to the ICAC website or phone 1800 250 918.