Business bulletin: 25 August 2022

Companies wanting to develop solutions to overcome Northern Territory specific industry problems with the use of earth observation technology, are encouraged to apply for the Earth Observation for the Northern Territory (EO4NT) grant program.

The $200,000 EO4NT grant, delivered in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and Geoscience Australia, is designed to unlock new space investment in the Territory.

The grant funding is available to support private companies develop commercial applications derived from earth observation data to solve Territory business problems and/or enhance business performance and productivity.

The EO4NT program, which was launched earlier this year, has been updated to make it easier and more accessible for applicants to apply.

You no longer need to have an established partnership with an end user at the application stage. You can also use any data source to develop your solution and the solution can apply to any industry sector.

The Territory Government can help connect applicants with industry associations and other end users to assist with proposal development and to identify an industry challenge to solve.

Examples of potential solutions include using EO data to enhance mining exploration, rehabilitation and environmental monitoring; implementing agricultural technology solutions for farmers; improving compliance monitoring for bushfire management; enhancing detection of weeds like gamba grass; or to streamline regulatory approvals for government.

For more information visit https://nt.gov.au/eo4nt

The Northern Territory Government has appointed Mr Yudistira Adipratama S.H., LL.M as its Representative to Indonesia.

Indonesia is one of the Northern Territory’s largest trading partners, with further trade opportunities arising following the significant global market changes caused by COVID-19.

The appointment of a new representative based in Jakarta, Indonesia is set to strengthen trade and business relations between the Northern Territory and the Asia-Pacific.

Mr Adipratama has a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, Victoria and has years of experience in government and business development across various sectors within Indonesia and Australia, and globally.

He is currently the owner of Indonesian law firm K-Case and Chairman of the legislation division of the Indonesian Esports Association, PBESI, and an ambassador for the Australian-Indonesian Business Council.

In his role as the Indonesian Representative for the Northern Territory, Mr Adipratama will be charged with growing business links in Indonesia and promoting engagement with the Territory.

Mr Adipratama said he was humbled to be appointed as the Northern Territory Indonesian Representative.

“I am honoured to take part in strengthening the bilateral ties between the Northern Territory and Indonesia through the business sector.”

“I hope to assist government and business in expanding the prosperous, mutually beneficial relationships.”

Businesses that would like to get in touch with Mr Adipratama can do so by emailing Indonesian.Representative@nt.gov.au

The Territory Government and international renewable energy company, Total Eren, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to develop a new green hydrogen project in Darwin.

The MoU frames how the NT Government and Total Eren will work together to progress the Darwin H2 Hub. This project has the potential to create more than 2,000 jobs during construction and 175 ongoing during its operation and will help fast-track a net zero economy.

Based in Darwin, the H2 Hub will be a renewable energy generation and hydrogen production plant which can assist domestic and international companies to decarbonise through the use of green hydrogen and to facilitate new industries in a net-zero economy.

Total Eren Australia’s Managing Director, Kam Ho is positive about the potential of the MOU, saying, “our plan is to accelerate the development of the project to supply green hydrogen and also the opportunity to provide renewable energy which supports the decarbonisation plans for energy-intensive industries in the Territory.”

“Total Eren as a leader in renewable energy is excited to be present in the Northern Territory through the development of the proposed Darwin H2 Hub.”

Plans for the Darwin H2 Hub comprise of more than 2GW of solar PV generation on 4000ha of land providing energy for a 1GW hydrogen electrolyser to produce more than 80,000 tonnes of hydrogen per annum.

Green hydrogen is an important energy vector that will support the transition of economies worldwide as well as the Territory economy. The Territory Government has allocated $5.01 million over four years for accelerated hydrogen industry development.

Northern Territory tourism operators are reminded to nominate for the NT’s official tourism awards, the Brolgas, before nominations close on 31 August.

The Awards are open to tourism operators, industry suppliers and outstanding individuals.  The Brolgas recognise and encourage tourism businesses that strive for excellence in all areas of their operations, with 25 national business categories.

Nominations for the awards are free, with a range of support offered to assist with submissions. The 2022 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards will be held on Saturday 12 November in Alice Springs, with winners going on to represent the NT at the 2022 Australian Tourism Awards.

The Territory was recognised at the 2021 Australian Tourism Awards with two gold, one silver and one bronze award. Katherine Outback Experience and Darwin Convention Centre both took out top honours with gold awards.

The tourism industry is bouncing back, with over 1.3 million tourists spending, staying and sightseeing across the Territory in the year to March.  The sector provides over 12,000 jobs across the Northern Territory and injects over $1.2 billion back into the NT economy.

For more information and to nominate visit www.brolgaawards.com.au

Congratulations to the winners and the NTIBN team on a successful, inaugural iNDiSTRY Awards held recently.  The night showcased the achievements of Northern Territory Aboriginal business and recognised the leadership, contribution and impact these businesses are creating for the Territory.

The Northern Territory Government is committed to improv­ing economic outcomes for all Territorians, with the commencement of the i Aboriginal Procurement Policy (APP) in July 2022. The APP is a targeted approach to increase Aboriginal Businesses Enterprises to participate in government procurement activities. For more details on this policy go to www.industry.nt.gov.au/app

The department supports NTIBN with their development of the Aboriginal Business Enterprise Register and is proud to work with many of the businesses showcased on the night; as well as provide grants to support the continued development of Aboriginal businesses.

Winners on the night were:

• Overall NT Blak Business of the Year - AKJ Services
• Blak Start up Business of the Year - Kings Narrative (Central Australia)
• Best Blak Growth business - Aboriginal Bush Traders
• Young Blak Entrepreneur - Shaun Edwards (House of Darwin)
• Blak Female Business Owner - Jessie Risk (AKJ Services)
• Blak Male Business Owner - Tyson Carmody (Kings Narrative)
• Blak Sole Trader/Microbusiness of the Year - Jungarayi 2000 (Tennant Creek photographer)
• Blak Buyer of the Year - Aurecon
• Ally of the Year - JLL
• Blak Community Controlled Organisation- Purple House

The above list includes five businesses that received scholarships support from the department worth $62,500 to the Australian Centre for Business Growth (AUCBG) to participate in the NT Government’s Business Acceleration Program. For more information about this program go to Northern Territory Government - The Australian Centre for Business Growth.