Business bulletin: 8 September 2023

October Business Month (OBM) is back bigger and better with an exciting mix of high profile keynote speakers to inspire Territory businesses.

OBM is the Northern Territory’s premier annual business event providing Territory businesses and their employees with a month long professional development program of inspirational and educational events.

This year’s program will enable Territorians to Connect and network with other businesses to support professional development. Learn new things and develop new skills and Be inspired by high profile keynote speakers and Territory success stories.

This year’s OBM keynote speakers are:

• Todd Sampson - former national CEO of Leo Burnett Australia, one of the world’s leading communication companies, and co-host of the smash hit ABC show Gruen.
• Dr Dan Pronk - studied medicine on an army scholarship, served most of his career with Special Operations and is the co-author of best-selling book The Resilience Shield.
• Shaynna Blaze - award winning interior designer, author, creative director, producer and TV personality best known for her roles on The Block and Selling Houses Australia.
• Amanda Stevens - recognised as one of the most entertaining speakers on the circuit, Amanda is a renowned thought leader on the customer experience.

Eight Territory success stories will also share their story, at a keynote event in their region, bringing their own local story to inspire the business community.

OMB 2023 includes 135 events covering a range of topics focusing on human connection, digital transformation, workforce, growth, leadership and strategy and planning.

To view the full OBM program, go to the OBM website.

The Northern Territory (NT) Government is progressing the development of a detailed business case for a proposed agribusiness precinct in the Darwin rural area to support the growth of the Territory’s agriculture and horticulture industries.

KPMG has been awarded a tender to undertake a detailed business case assessment for a proposed agribusiness precinct in the Darwin rural area.

KPMG Darwin Advisory Partner, Sarah Hicks said this project presents an exciting opportunity to support the growth of the Territory’s agriculture and horticulture industries.

“KPMG’s team of specialists from Darwin and around Australia will engage and consult with key stakeholders, businesses, industry, land owners and Traditional Owners to assess the commercial viability and economic benefits of the proposed agribusiness precinct,” Ms Hicks said.

The Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission final report recognised that after years of incremental growth, the Territory’s agricultural sector is primed to grow at scale. This is supported by the priorities outlined in the co-designed and co-owned agribusiness 2030 strategy that was launched in May this year in partnership with industry.

The Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) detailed business case identified there will be increased demand for agricultural and horticultural expansion in the greater Darwin region.

Water supplied from the proposed AROWS project has the potential to enable around 2,000 hectares of greenfield horticultural development paving the way for significant agribusiness development within reach of Darwin.

It is envisaged that the potential greenfield development and brownfield expansion in the Darwin region, could be achieved through the development of an agribusiness precinct at Lambells Lagoon given its close proximity to the future AROWS infrastructure.

Lambells Lagoon is a rural suburban area located about 30km south of Palmerston and 50km south of Darwin, in the Litchfield Municipality. There is land identified as suitable for high-value agricultural and horticultural activity. Existing horticulture in the area includes mangos, melons, bananas, pineapples, pumpkins, and plant nurseries.

The detailed business case will investigate and assess the commercial viability and economic benefits of the proposed agribusiness development.

The detailed business case process will also help inform the planning and approval activities for the AROWS project, which is subject to investment decisions and regulatory approvals.

The planning and approval activities for the AROWS project is part of stage 1 of the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program, which is jointly funded by the Australian Government, through the National Water Grid Authority, and the NT Government.

The AROWS project is the long term solution for a secure and reliable water supply for the Darwin region, and central to enabling the proposed agribusiness development.

The final agribusiness precinct detailed business case is expected to be completed in early 2024.

Twelve winners have been announced in the 2023 Northern Territory Training Awards, highlighting the incredible talent, depth and diversity in the Territory’s vocational education and training sector.

The winners were selected from 102 nominations across 12 categories, comprising of 78 individuals and 24 businesses.

This year’s finalists represent a wide range of industries including health, conservation, elector-technology, mechanics, mining, beauty services, cookery, fitness, early childhood learning, business and information technology.

Electrical apprentice Jack Higgins, was named the Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year.

Jack said undertaking an electrical apprenticeship has provided a range of opportunities for growth and development.

“I wanted to learn a trade that is both practical and technical, and after completing the Prelude to the Future program where I was able to get a taste into both the electrical and mechanical trades, the electrical industry seemed like the perfect fit for me and where I wanted to pursue a career.”

Healthcare trainee, Porsche Cahill was named the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

Porsche said she always wanted to pursue a career in the health industry.

“Doing my traineeship at Menzies has given me so many new skills and knowledge. I'm proud of what I've achieved so far, but I'm excited for the future too. I want to make a positive difference in healthcare, especially for Indigenous communities.”

NT winners in eligible categories will now progress to the Australian Training Awards to be held in Hobart on 17 November 2023.

Direct entry award category finalists for the Australian Training Awards have also been announced and the Northern Territory is represented by Brendan Reid, a finalist for the Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award, and Karen Sheldon who has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector Award.

View more information about Northern Territory Training Awards.

Individual category winners

• Trainee of the Year - Thanapat (Joe) Kellie
• Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year - Jack Higgins
• Vocational Student of the Year - Loan Nguyen
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year - Porsche Cahill
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year - Lilly Bright
• VET in Schools Student of the Year - Luzena Chevalier-Roberts
• VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year - Sharon Stewart.

Business category winners

• Small Training Provider of the Year - Institute of Skills and Training Australia
• Large Training Provider of the Year - Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
• Industry Collaboration of the Year - Roper Gulf Cert III in Community Services Project. A collaboration between Roper Gulf Regional Council and Bradford Institute of Advanced Education
• Small Employer of the Year - Numburindi Store
• Large Employer of the Year - NEC.

Northern Australia’s largest resource industry conference, NT Resources week, is being held in Darwin on 13 and 14 September 2023.

The Northern Territory (NT) Government is continuing to work with industry to ensure a world-class regulatory regime to further drive the economic development of this $6.2 billion dollar sector.

NT Resources Week brings together the key players in the resources and construction industry, connects attendees in the mining, exploration, engineering, oil and gas, construction, infrastructure and environmental management sectors across northern Australia and South East Asia. It’s a must attend event for anyone doing resources-related business in the Territory.

On the agenda for this year is the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, the growing success of the Territory’s critical minerals sector, decarbonisation, Australia’s energy transition, onshore/offshore gas plus updates from the NT explores and geological experts.

The NT Government is proud to be an exhibitor at the event, and will be joined by Investment Territory’s Local Jobs Fund, a $189 million co-investment fund to create jobs and accelerate growth for business and projects looking to support the Territory’s diverse sectors.

With the Territory’s target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, our offshore and onshore gas resources will play a vital role as a transitional fuel in the journey to renewables. As a major gas supplier the Territory has a well-established service and supply sector with an enviable location including international market accessibility, making the NT essential to Australia’s future energy security and the nation’s transition to renewables.

As the sector grows, the government will continue to listen to and work with Territorians to increase local job opportunities, expand the Territory’s economy, and maintain our unique culture and environment. So come and talk to our team at this year’s NT Resources Week about how you can be part of the Territory’s resource future.

For event details, go to the NT Resources Week website.

Caption: Representatives from Aurizon and Northern Iron.

A new agreement between Australia’s largest rail freight business, Aurizon and mining company, Northern Iron will see 1.2 million tonnes per annum of magnetite transported from Tennant Creek to Darwin Port.

To support this agreement a railway siding and stockpile hardstand will be constructed 18km  north of Tennant Creek. This marks the first such development in the Territory in 2 decades.

This initiative is pivotal in amplifying rail efficiency and broadening the capacity for diverse freight transport, improving the environment and reducing carbon emission from transportation.

Aurizon General Manager Bulk Central, Matt Jones said “Aurizon’s major investment in central Australia recognises the strategic value and potential of the business in serving rapidly-growing markets for resources, agribusiness, renewable energy and general freight.”

“Aurizon sees the 2,240km Tarcoola to Darwin railway as a nationally-significant corridor with direct connection to the Port of Darwin, the closest port to Australia’s largest trading partners in Asia.”

Magnetite freight is expected to commence the 1,000 journey to Darwin Port in March 2024.

Northern Iron Managing Director, Rob Morrow said the awarding of this contract is a major milestone for the project and both companies.

“This strategic partnership will provide the critical logistics capabilities needed to get our magnetite product to market where steel produces create a higher quality steal product using less ore and producing less emissions and waste by-products.”

This venture aligns with the Northern Territory Government’s $440 million regional Logistics Hubs project. The Regional Logistics Hubs initiative underscores the necessity for strategically positioned terminals, rail sidings, and warehousing structures along the Darwin-Tarcoola rail corridor.