Business bulletin: 20 April 2023

The Northern Territory (NT) Government has released the Mineral Development Taskforce’s final report which maps strategies to activate and secure ongoing private investment and create jobs.

Taskforce Chair Shaun Drabsch said the Mineral Development Taskforce had been given a clear directive to identify ways to unlock projects that will drive the Territory’s resource sector, creating local jobs and opportunities for Territorians.

“The taskforce has critically considered a range of new approaches to accelerate private investment, and the final report is a culmination of significant analysis and consultation over the past year,” Mr Drabsch said.

“The final report outlines a series of recommendations and possible actions to ensure the Territory is competitive with other jurisdictions seeking to attract mining investment and to drive private sector investment to help sustainably secure the vision of a $40 billion economy by 2030.”

Some of the recommendations included:

• introducing targeted initiatives to encourage increased exploration and mining activity
• securing co-ordinated, transparent and efficient land access processes that respect land-owners and recognise co-existing uses
• targeted regulations focussed on sustainable outcomes
• updating the Territory’s royalties regime to make it more competitive
• capitalising on economically sustainable downstream mineral value-add opportunities.

The NT Government has accepted the recommendations in principle and will now engage with key stakeholders and industry about the opportunities that have been identified to increase and enhance the competitiveness of the Territory as an investment destination.

To read the report, go to the Resourcing the Territory website.

The Territory Government has released a suite of free online training modules, to support club and association member’s to upskill and to better understand their obligations under the Associations Act 2003.

Clubs and associations play an important role within our community. They deliver important services, programs and events that benefit Territorians, improve liveability and contribute directly to the Territory’s economy.

Across the Territory there are 1,680 clubs and associations run by volunteers.

To support these organisation, the Northern Territory (NT) Government has implemented a pilot Clubs and Associations Governance Training program, matching specialist governance consultants with local associations that needed some support to refine their constitution, receive general business advice or training for committee members.

Thirty-four clubs or associations have been supported through this initiative so far with more being added each week.

To support the initiative, the NT Government has also released a suite of free online training tools to assist clubs and associations meet their governance, compliance and financial obligations.

Ben Tuffnell, Executive Director, Industry Capability and Licensing, said “The new free online training is delivered in an easy and accessible way to help our incredible volunteer’s upskill or, better understand their roles and responsibilities at their own pace and in their own time.”

“It is important that clubs and associations have access to the right tools and training to ensure their invaluable work continues into the future.”

“I encourage all clubs and associations to access the training modules, and talk to their members about the support available to them, through the government’s licensing compliance team.”

For further information or to access the free online training, go to the Northern Territory Government website or email associations.compliance@nt.gov.au.

Opportunities are available to exhibit at Facing North 2023. Business and industry exhibitors can participate in the showcase to demonstrate of the capacity and breadth of Territory businesses at this well regarded event.

The delegation, lead by the Northern Territory (NT) Government and Darwin Major Business Group Incorporated, will promote the Territory in Canberra on Wednesday 2 August 2023. Facing North presents a chance for you to:

• showcase your product, services or industry and the enormous potential the Territory has to offer
• connect with influential key decision makers from Federal and Northern Territory governments and industry
• build new and important business contacts.

Attended by Federal Parliamentarians, senior government officials and corporate and industry leaders, the event provides NT businesses and industry the opportunity to meet key decision-makers and further cement and position the Territory as vital to Australia’s resilience, growth and prosperity.

Expressions of interest from local business and industry to attend and exhibit your product, services or industry are closing soon.

To find out more and submit your expression of interest, go to the Facing North website.

A tourism training initiative in Central Australia is turning out to be a great success.

Seven Indigenous guides are being mentored to improve their presentation skills and to undertake Certificate I in Tourism.

They are employed by Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the Traditional Owners of Standley Chasm, 50km west of Alice Springs.

“The whole program is going very well,” said general manager Nova Pomare. “The guides are loving it.”

She said the guides have profound knowledge of Indigenous culture but often lacked the confidence to present to tourists who they have just met.

So Nova has brought in two renowned mentors Traditional Owner Janet McCormack, who speaks 5 Aboriginal languages, and bush tucker expert Rayleen Brown from Kungkas Can Cook - to mentor the 6 men and one woman.

“The mentors are giving the guides the confidence to come out of themselves and improve their presentations and have more structure around our Aboriginal experience tours.”

Charles Darwin University has delivered the 4-week Certificate I Tourism course at Hermannsburg for a total of 14 participants from Angkerle Aboriginal Corporation and 100% Adventure. These students all completed their Certificate I Tourism in early March.

The 2-pronged training initiative - employing and training the guides - was made possible by funding through the Territory Government’s Aboriginal Workforce Grants program.

Grants are available to Northern Territory Aboriginal corporations, private businesses, industry bodies, not-for-profit organisations and other incorporated organisations to create jobs and develop careers.

For further information about the Aboriginal Workforce Grants or other workforce support programs, go to the Northern Territory Government website.

The Territory’s top tourism businesses and operators are being sought for the 2023 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards.

The Brolga Awards recognise and encourage Territory tourism businesses that strive for excellence in all areas of their operations and showcase the best of the Territory.

Territory based tourism operators attractions, accommodation providers, festivals and events and industry suppliers are all encouraged to nominate their business in one of the 26 categories.

This year a new category, Excellence in Accessible Tourism has been introduced which recognises tourism businesses that endeavour to ensure their products and services are accessible to all people regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age.

Nominations are free with a range of assistance available to aid nominees with their Brolga Award submissions.

Finalist will be recognised and the tourism industry celebrated at the 2023 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards gala dinner to be held on Saturday 11 November 2023 in Darwin.

To find out more and how to nominate, go to the Tourism NT website.