Business bulletin: 1 November 2021

Construction workers seeking a new or replacement Northern Territory (NT) White Card can now apply for one online, via the Can-do Territory portal.

In the NT, construction workers are required to have a white card in order to work on a construction site. They’re also required to show their card as proof of training, if asked by a principal contractor of a worksite they are entering, a work health and safety entry permit holder or a Worksafe inspector.

Until now, workers have been required to physically visit a Territory Business Centre during business hours, post a hardcopy or scan and email the form.

Under the new digital process, construction workers will be able to complete their request online via the Can-Do Territory portal at any time of day. The system also provides a status update, so the worker can see where their application is up to.

Face-to-face, postal or email options will continue to be offered at the Territory Business Centre, however the digital option will also be available for those workers that wish to apply online.

The Can-do Territory online services platform will expand over time, integrating more online applications to make it easier for Territorians and businesses to access information, lodge and track online forms and transact digitally with the NT Government.

To find out more or apply for a white card, go to the Can-do Territory portal.

The Work, Stay, Play incentive has been extended until the end of the year to further support hospitality, aged care and agriculture businesses attract workers to the Territory.

The incentive is part of the Territory Government’s $2 million Critical Worker Support Package to immediately boost skills and job opportunities for Territorians, and attract workers to the Territory or encourage visitors to stay for work.

Work, Stay, Play offers a payment of up to $1,500 to reimburse new workers to help cover the cost associated with moving into a new job.

Payments are made for new employees, with eligible business able to claim up to $60,000 in total.

The one-off payment can include airfares, moving household effects, transporting a vehicle or even accommodation and rental assistance.

Applications for the Work, Stay, Play incentive have been extended until 5pm on 31 December 2021.

To apply or read the terms and conditions, go to the Northern Territory Government website.

Territorians are invited to have their say on the Territory Government’s vision to harness new international partnerships and strengthen existing ones, grow trade ties and attract new international investment.

The Northern Territory has natural competitive advantages in existing and emerging industries, which must be harnessed through a strategic approach to expanding international trade and winning investment for job creation.

Importantly, the draft international engagement strategy 2022-26 will outline how the Territory is strategically positioned and promoted in priority international markets.

Northern Territory’s Investment Commission, Andy Cowan said “As Australia’s comeback capital, international investment has an important role to play in driving new projects.”

“International borders will re-open soon and the Territory Government will be actively making the most of our longstanding trade and international investment ties to bring new jobs and other benefits to the Territory.”

The draft strategy complements the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network’s Aboriginal business export strategy 2022-2025 released last week, which is focused on bringing traditional knowledge to modern international trade.

The final international engagement strategy will incorporate feedback from key industry stakeholders, as well as feedback received through the have your say process.

The have your say survey closes COB 17 November 2021.

To share your feedback on the draft strategy, go to the Have Your Say website.

The Sun Cable’s Asia-Australia Power project is charging ahead with global team of experts announced to progress the $30 billion project.

The Integrated Project Delivery Team brings together a group of world-leading engineering firms to form a global consortium for the project, which will see the Territory host the world’s largest solar farm and renewable energy system.

The team involves Bechtel, SMEC, hatch, PwC and March, who will work towards a development timeline to ensure construction can commence immediately, following financial close in October 2023.

The team will also spearhead opportunities that generate long-term benefits, not only for the Territory and Australia but also for our northern neighbours.

Sun Cable CEO, Dave Griffin said “Securing the support of these globally recognised experts is an important vote of confidence in the significance and feasibility of Sun Cable’s Australia-Asia Power Link.

“This project is designed to significantly accelerate the carbon zero ambition of the region and we have brought together a dream team to bring it to fruition.”

Once operational, the Australia-Asia PowerLink will transmit large volumes of dispatchable electricity from the Barkly region to Darwin and Singapore markets. It will deliver total carbon emissions abatement estimated at 8.6 million tonnes each year.

The project will create 1,500 jobs during construction and 350 ongoing positions once operations begin.

Photo: Core Lithium Managing Director Stephen Biggins with Minister for Mining and Industry Nicole Manison.

Construction on the $89 million Finniss Lithium Project commenced last week.

Initial construction works involve road access, site establishment and construction of communication, and fuel and water supply infrastructure. Construction follows the project reaching final investment decision last month.

The Finniss Lithium Project is an open cut and underground operation located 35km west of Berry Springs on the Cox Peninsula Road.

The project will create 250 jobs for Territorians during construction and operations. So far, more than 84% of available jobs on the project have been awarded to locals.

Mining activity at the Finniss Lithium Project is on track to commence late this year, and it is anticipated more than one million tonnes of lithium-bearing ore will be mined each year over the predicted seven to 10 year life of the project.

Core Lithium Managing Director Stephen Biggins said “We are excited to see construction milestones met ay Finniss over the coming 12 months, ahead of first production before the end of 2022.

“At a time when Australia is firmly focused on both the generation of renewable resources and future job prospects for the region, Core is incredibly proud of this milestone we have reached in the Northern Territory.”

Lithium is considered a critical mineral that is strategic to the global economy, particularly for new and emerging technologies such as batteries, electric vehicles, mobile phones, high-definition screen displays, solar panels, medical equipment and military technology.