Business bulletin: 14 December 2023

The Territory’s mining sector has reached new heights with the latest quarterly mineral exploration expenditure breaking a 12-year record.

Mineral exploration expenditure for the September quarter jumped by 30% to $74.4 million compared to the same quarter last year. It smashes the previous record of $71.6 million set in the September 2011 quarter.

The 30% year-on-year rise in expenditure in the Territory for the September quarter was also much higher than the Australia wide increase of 5%.

Mineral exploration expenditure in the Territory in 2023 is currently on track to be the highest calendar year on record.

Demand for critical minerals - such as lithium and rare earths - is driving this growth in exploration, accounting for $37.8 million in exploration expenditure.

The Territory has 15 internationally recognised critical minerals and has geological potential for a further 13 emerging critical minerals.

The potential of the Territory’s mining industry is increasingly being recognised. Earlier this year the global Fraser Institute survey ranked the Territory first globally for Best Practice Mineral Potential as the most geologically prospective jurisdiction.

The Territory Government has established the Mineral Development Taskforce (MDT) to investigate and identify opportunities to accelerate private investment in the resources sector.

Earlier this year the MDT delivered its report and 28 recommendations to drive sustainable development of the Territory’s resources sector, which the Government accepted and is now implementing.

To read the Mineral Development Taskforce final report, go to the Resourcing the Territory website.

From March 2024 Airnorth will commence a 3 weekly service between Alice Springs and Perth and return, providing more choice and connectivity for Territorians.

This is another positive result of the Territory Aviation Attraction Scheme, and was achieved in partnership with the Airport Development Group.

Flights will commence on 25 March 2024 and will operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

This is the first time since June 2022 that Alice Springs will be connected with a non-stop air service to Perth - previously operated by Qantas.

The flights will also provide Alice Springs residents convenient one-stop operations to a range of international cities including London, Rome and Paris.

The route will open access to the Perth source market, and to international visitors using Perth as a hub. This will support the important visitor economy in Alice Springs.

This comes off the back of several recent aviation announcements for Central Australia including, Bonza Airlines new route between Melbourne and Alice Springs and Virgin Australia’s new routes from Melbourne and Brisbane to Yulara.

Multi-million-dollar major film production, Kangaroo is expected to create over 100 jobs and significantly boost the local economy when filming takes place in the Red Centre next year.

Kangaroo, which will be filmed at The Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs is a heart-warming family comedy about an ex-TV personalist who becomes stranded in the outback town, where he teams up with an 11-year-old girl to work together to rescue and rehabilitate orphan joeys.

The Territory Government has invested $1.2 million towards the production which is expected to create around 150 local jobs and utilise about 100 local businesses during the course of filming.

The project is expected to inject significant expenditure into the local economy, benefitting Alice Springs local businesses, hospitality and the accommodation sector.

Showcasing the stunning scenery and landscapes of the Red Centre, Kangaroo will also bring Alice Springs to the screens of viewers around the world.

Kangaroo is the first major local film production for Cultivator Films Australia, the Australian production arm of STUDIOCANAL ANZ.

CEO of STUDIOCANAL ANZ, Elizabeth Trotman said “we can’t wait to bring this delightful family story to the big screen. With a stellar cast and crew, the production of this film is in great hands. Working with Screen Territory and shooting in the beautiful Northern Territory of Australia, is truly a dream scenario.”

Alice Springs production company Brindle Films has also come on board as co-producer with Bunya Productions on the project.

Director, Kate Woods said “I am thrilled to be back in Australia working with STUDION CANAL and such prestigious producers as Bunya and Brindle to bring this story of literally the symbol of Australia to life.”

Pre-production work is expected to start ramping up early next year with filming to commence in April 2024.

The largest water storage infrastructure project in Northern Australia has taken another significant step forward.

A $6 million contract has been awarded to SMEC Australia to deliver the final concept design for the Adelaide River Off-Stream Water Storage (AROWS) project.

SMEC Australia have been delivering projects in the Territory for more than 4 decades. The company brings strong experience, capability and highly specialised skills to deliver this critical component of the AROWS project.

SMEC Australia Area Manager, Jocelyn Ellero said, “AROWS will become an iconic project in the NT, I am not only looking forward to delivering a project of such high technical calibre but the impact we will have on the community and future growth of Greater Darwin.”

AROWS is part of the Darwin Region Water Supply Program, which includes Manton Dam Return to Service: stage 1 of the program has received over $300 million in investment from the Australian Government.

AROWS will secure Greater Darwin’s long-term water supply and will be a critical enabler for agricultural and industrial growth, including the proposed Lambells Lagoon Agribusiness precinct and the Middle Arm Sustainable Development precinct.

The innovative and sustainable large scale water storage project takes full advantage of the natural features of its location to capture and store water. As such, there will be no dam infrastructure built across the river as you would typically see in in-stream dams, minimising environmental impact.

The design is expected to take approximately 12 to 18 months to complete, with construction expected to start in 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and an investment decision.

Territory businesses seeking workers are encouraged to sign up to the Territory Government’s WorkerConnect platform with more than 8,000 job seekers now registered on the portal.

The Territory WorkerConnect platform is multi-purpose online platform that manages a community of job seekers interested in working and living in the Territory.

The platform connects job seekers >from outside of the Northern Territory with a variety of skills, experience levels, and industries represented with local businesses by showcasing the latest jobs and career opportunities here in the Territory and allowing candidates to join our talent community.

The platform enables businesses to post their job vacancies for free, providing an additional tool to support businesses recruitment efforts. Employers can also use filtering tools to search for workers that meet their skills, experience and work rights requirement as well as creating an employer profile, increasing the business visibility and enhancing the business’s employer brand.

Territory businesses and job seekers can also use the free Territory WorkerConnect app to connect with one another.

You can download the Territory WorkerConnect app in the Apple Store and Google Play.

The WorkerConnect Platform is a key element of the Territory Government’s Global Worker Attraction Program which is designed to create awareness of the NT as a desirable place to work and live.

Become a member of the Northern Territory WorkerConnect community today, go to Jobs in Australia's NorthernTerritory.

Seven local businesses have proudly represented the Northern Territory at the Australian Export Awards held at Parliament House in Canberra last month.

The Australian Export Awards celebrate the achievements of extraordinary Australian exporters and the far-reaching impact they have on the nation’s economy.

Now in its 61^st year, the Australian Export Awards is one of the Australia’s longest running business awards program.

This year saw 86 finalists from right around the country progress to the national awards.

The Territory’s 7 finalists, who represent a diverse range of sectors were recognised for their achievements and significant contribution to both the Northern Territory and Australian economy.

Congratulations to our Territory finalists:

• Rum Jungle Meat Exports – Agribusiness, Food and Beverages
• AusNorth Trading – Emerging Exporter
• Alana Kaye College – International Education and Training
• SPEE3D – Manufacturing and Advanced Materials
• Professional Services – KBA Global Education and Migration
• Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage – Regional Exporter
• Ikuntji Artists – Small Business.

International two-way trade is an important driver of the Territory’s economy because it catalyses growth in investment, generates new business opportunities and creates local jobs.

Territory exporters make an important contribution to the Territory economy and by supporting them we are enabling more jobs for Territorians and help grow capabilities of our industry.

The Australian Export Awards program is presented by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission in collaboration with State and Territory partners.