Business bulletin: 15 December 2022

Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) has achieved a key milestone in its plans to grow a manufacturing footprint in the Territory.

An iconic G-111 amphibious aircraft has arrived in Darwin from Melbourne by truck, heralding the historic start of a brand new aircraft manufacturing industry lifting off in the Northern Territory.

The Albatross G-111, which can be utilised in key sectors of defence, tourism, border security and search and rescue operations, has not been commercially manufactured for six decades and the existing aircraft will be used as the prototype for AAI to manufacture upgraded versions called the Albatross G-111T.

The historic milestone will make the Territory Australia’s first manufacturer and exporter of the iconic aircraft.

The Bonney Court hanger at the Darwin International Airport, which will house the 13 tonne plane, will undergo refurbishments over the next three months to enable AAI to begin works ahead of the development of the Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct Darwin, where ongoing production of the G-111T model will take place.

Around 300 direct local jobs will be created in AAI when it commences production. This will progressively ramp up through to 2030.

The Northern Territory Government has committed up to $10 million through the Local Jobs Fund via staged milestone-based payments to build upgraded versions of the Albatross in Darwin.

Earlier this year, AAI and established Japanese aircraft manufacturer, ShinMaywa signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-operate in developing the amphibian aircraft manufacturing hub.

Once established in the Territory, AAI will generate extensive value to the local economy, with the company forecasting annual revenue of over $100 million by the end of the decade.

The Northern Territory Government has released a tender for a lead environmental consultant to undertake an environmental assessment for the Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) infrastructure project and also produce a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The lead environmental consultant will build on the preliminary environmental assessment and studies completed to date by the Power Water Corporation and assessed in the AROWS Detailed Business Case.

The final EIS will inform government as to whether additional environmental or regulatory approvals need to be undertaken for the AROWS project.

Shaun Drabsch, CEO Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade said “Environmental considerations are critical in the development of the AROWS project and the Territory Government will always ensure our environmental processes are robust.”

“Sustainable outcomes and environmental protection of the Adelaide River and surrounds, as well as community consultation, are paramount for planning for this infrastructure project and will be a key feature of the EIS.”

The project will be assessed in line with requirements under the Northern Territory Environment Protection Act 2019 and Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, to inform the final EIS.

The AROWS project is the largest water infrastructure project in the Northern Territory’s history and it is proposed to be Darwin’s next major water supply source to provide water security to our community.

As an off-stream water storage project, AROWS takes an innovative approach to provide complementary outcomes of water availability and environmental sustainability.

Community consultation and securing key regulatory approvals is essential before a decision can be made to deliver the project.

For further information and to register for the industry briefing email WaterInfrastructure.DITT@nt.gov.au

The Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program – Stage 1 is jointly funded by the Australian and Northern Territory governments, delivered in partnership with Power and Water Corporation.

Seven new projects designed to improve the Northern Territory’s ability to recycle its waste and reprocess it in to valuable new products have been funded under the Recycling Modernisation Fund.

The Recycling Modernisation Fund is a joint initiative between the Australian and Northern Territory Governments to address gaps in the Territory’s waste recycling and processing capabilities.

The new projects, valued at a total of $8.3 million will grow local businesses, keep waste out of landfills and recycle the Territory’s waste into valuable new commodities such as construction materials.

NTK Industries has been granted $325,000 towards a new glass recycling plant in Holtz that will recycle approximately 75% of the Northern Territory’s waste glass.

NTK Industries Managing Director, Andrew Jones said “The project will divert 6,000 tonnes of waste glass from landfill and process it into a range of products including insulation material used in construction, a fluxing agent used in bricks and ceramics, as well as processed into asphalt for roads and pavements.”

“In addition to being great for the environment, this project will create four construction jobs during the building of the plant phase with a further three permanent roles created to operate the new glass recycling plant.”

Grant recipients include:

Northern Waste Reduction Services received $1,400,930 to develop a $6.3 million tyre recycling plant in Katherine with the capacity to recycle and repurpose the majority of Northern Territory’s end-of-life tyres.

NTK Industries received $325,000 towards a $650,000 new glass recycling plant in Holtze that will recycle approximately 75% of the Northern Territory’s waste glass.

The City of Palmerston received $100,000 for a $200,000 cardboard compactor at the Archer Waste Transfer Station to put in place a more sustainable approach to cardboard recycling.

East Arnhem Regional Council received $100,000 towards $202,800 in recycling infrastructure upgrades in the remote communities of Galiwin’ku, Gapuwiyak, Ramingining and Milingimbi.

Central Desert Regional Council received $102,262 to construct $204, 500 recycling bays in four remote communities: Yuelamu, Nyirripi, Willowra and Atitjere.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia received $238,628 for a new $560,000 recycling centre in Yulara.

Alice Springs Town Council received $63,800 grant for a new $127,600 granulator to process plastics into smaller materials at their Regional Waste Management Facility.

Combined, the new facilities are expected to support 12 construction jobs, 19 ongoing positions and process almost 12,000 tonnes of waste glass, plastic, tyres and paper and cardboard waste each year.

Round 2 of the Recycling Modernisation Fund is now open.

For more information or to apply visit nt.gov.au/recycling-modernisation-funds

The Alice Springs Mining Services Expo is in its 17th year of promoting Territory businesses and services to the mining and exploration sector throughout Australia.

Held in conjunction with the Annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar (AGES) on the 18 to 19 April, this years Alice Springs Mining Services Expo is shaping up to be another successful event for local businesses.

“The Alice Springs Mining Services Expo provides local businesses with the opportunity to showcase their products and services directly to industry. This helps attract more work, investment and opportunity to the region.” Rae Finlay - Regional Manager, Central Australia, Business & Workforce.

Participants include local, national and international businesses, suppliers, purchasers, government agencies and associations across the mining and exploration sector. The expo showcases the capacity of local businesses, as well as the availability of products and services in the central Australian region.

Exhibitors see the expo as a vital opportunity to network, promote and engage with key industry contacts. If you are interested in exhibiting at this years event, email business.DITT@nt.gov.au or call the Business and Workforce team on 8951 8553.

Kylie Jones is encouraging as many Territorians as possible to enter the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Awards.

The schoolteacher, who runs an organisation that supports remote education, won the NT award last year.

“The awards are absolutely incredible,” she said. “I didn’t realise what a big opportunity it was at first.

“But it has helped me grow my organisation and helped my personal development.

“I encourage other rural women to enter. It’s a fantastic experience and offers support and great connections. It’s so valuable.”

The annual awards celebrate the achievements of women from rural communities and industries.

They have gained a strong national reputation since being launched 21 years ago for identifying, empowering and celebrating rural women.

Award applicants must have an up-and-running project, business or program – or one that will be “live” within three months – that falls into one or more of three categories: community, collaboration, commercial.

The NT winner will receive a $15,000 grant from Westpac, which will be used to support her project and complete a professional development course of her choosing, and go on to represent the Territory at the national awards in Canberra in September.

Ms Jones is the founder of RAISEducation, a not-for-profit organisation that provides individually-tailored support for teachers, governesses and children living in remote locations, such as cattle stations and isolated communities.

The Rural Women’s Award is supported by the Northern Territory Government.

Nominations are now open and close on 27 January 2023. For further information, Rural Women's Award | AgriFutures Australia