Business bulletin: 5 October 2023

This October Business Month will see an impressive line-up of speakers and events designed to encourage local businesses to connect with their peers, learn more and expand on opportunities.

There are over 135 events covering a range of topics related to this year’s key themes of human connection, digital transformation, workforce, growth, leadership and strategy and planning.

On Wednesday, Darwin was treated to a unique presentation by Todd Sampson, where he showed the audience science-backed ways to boost creativity and brain power.

Todd’s presentation was interesting, inspiring and captivating, challenging guests to think ‘beyond possible’ and providing the practical tools, strategies and techniques to do this.

Don’t miss out on the rest of this year’s impressive line-up of keynote speakers who will present across the Territory:

Dr Dan Pronk

Back by popular demand, Dan returns to the OBM 2023 calendar, to deliver a half day workshop in Darwin - ‘Building your Resilience Shield’ as well as presenting in

Alice Springs and Katherine. Dan is an inspiring speaker not to be missed!

• Alice Springs: Monday, 9 October - Book here
• Darwin: Tuesday, 10 October - Book here
• Katherine: Wednesday, 11 October - Book here

Shaynna Blaze

Shaynna will present ‘Living my life by Design, not by Default’ at the Women in Business Lunch, in Darwin at the fabulous Mindil Beach Casino Resort. This is a not-to-be-missed event! Grab your colleagues and spend an afternoon being inspired and entertained.

• Darwin: Friday, 20 October - Book here

Amanda Stevens

Amanda will deliver her new keynote ‘Everyday Bravery’. Amanda is an engaging and inspiring speaker and will teach you to step out of your comfort zone a little each day.

• Nhulunbuy: Tuesday, 24 October - Book here
• Tennant Creek: Wednesday, 25 October - Book here
• Alice Springs: Thursday, 26 October - Book here

Eight Territory Success Stories will also be heard over the course of the month at the keynote speaker events. View the Territory success stories on Territory success stories | October Business Month

To view the full OBM program and secure your spot, visit October Business month website.

Last week, Avenira Ltd and Taiwan’s ALEEES signed a licence and technology transfer agreement to progress a lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) battery cathode manufacturing facility at the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct.

The binding agreement will provide Avenira with the authority and specifications to manufacture LFP battery cathode material in Darwin.

The manufacturing plant will be Australia’s first commercial-scale facility of its kind, designed to deliver 30,000 tonnes per annum of LFP powder, for use in electric vehicle and energy storage batteries.

Avenira Chairman Brett Clark said “securing technology partners of Alees’ calibre gives us great confidence as we continue to develop the LFP project at Middle Arm, Darwin together.”

“The LFP plants will create many opportunities for Australia with increased technology skills, research and development, engineering and integration with global renewable supply chains.”

Avenira estimates the project will create over 500 jobs during construction and 100 operations jobs, which will scale up to 300 positions and generate up to $1.5 billion annually to the Territory economy.

Avenira is one of five companies with a ‘not to deal’ commitment for land at the Middle Arm Sustainable Development precinct.

Avenira’s Wonarah Phosphate project in the Barkly will eventually support phosphate to the LFP facility, with Avenira recently signing a Mining Agreement with the Arruwurra Aboriginal Corporation to continue to develop the project.

Phosphate is traditionally used in agriculture fertiliser and is in increasing demand for use as a critical mineral in electrical vehicles and energy storage batteries to support increased use of green energy and transition to net-zero emissions.

Staying cool while working outdoors … Cann Industries used a Territory Government
Business Pivot grant to develop a marketing campaign.

Desert King, one of the largest screen productions ever filmed in the Northern Territory, had nearly everything – a great storyline, an excellent cast, a renowned director and one of the world’s finest locations.

But the producers of the neo-western drama series, which will be released by Netflix to its 238 million members, was missing one crucial ingredient – a way to keep the crew hydrated during two months of filming in the Outback.

Enter Darwin-based Cann Industries.

The business, which was founded by Wade and Tegan Cann in 2012 after they took over Les Keyes Refrigeration and Electrical, supplied five ice-making machines to the production company.

Keeping people who work outdoors in the Territory’s heat and humidity healthy is the company’s bread and butter.

Cann Industries, which specialises in supplying and repairing “Territory tough” Brema ice machines, has enjoyed growth of 45 percent a year for the past four years.

It has contracts throughout the Territory, including with McDonalds and Woolworths, and has just won a contract to supply 15 fire stations.

The family-owned company is eager to grow so asked for advice from Caroline Villaflor, a Small Business Champion with the NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade.

“She’s a very energetic lady,” said Tegan. “I’ve never known anyone so happy. She was amazing. She really understood what we wanted to do. Working with her was a pleasure.”

Caroline encouraged Wade and Tegan to use the Territory Government’s Business Pivot grants program to contract a business consultant.

The result was the successful development and production of a television marketing campaign – and a contract on a Netflix production.

You can get in touch with our Small Business Champions team by calling 18000 193 111 or email businessinfo@nt.gov.au.

Businesses and organisations operating in 28 remote towns across the Territory are encouraged to participate in the 2023 Remote Town Jobs Survey which will help inform future workforce, training and employment programs.

Last month Charles Darwin University, on behalf of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade sent out the 2023 Remote Town Jobs Survey to businesses in 28 remote towns across the Northern Territory.

The survey aims to capture the number of businesses, jobs, and job holders in each of the specific remote towns.

Information collected from the survey will be used to create a detailed profile of businesses, jobs, skills and training for each community. It will also assist with planning and design of current and future government programs as well as workforce planning to improve employment outcomes for people in the remote towns.

This is the fourth survey undertaken, with previous surveys conducted in 2011, 2014 and 2017. To view the 2017 survey result and current community profiles, go to the NT Government website.

Businesses are encouraged to complete the survey and submit responses back to the remote town survey email by 31 October 2023.

When finalised, the 2023 remote jobs profiles will be made publicly available.

To find out more call 08 8999 7802 or email robyn.wing@nt.gov.au.

To request a copy of the survey, email remote.town.survey@cdu.edu.au.

Tourism NT is providing up to $150,000 in consultancy services to NT Aboriginal majority owned businesses and organisations to help access opportunities and unlock potential funding.

There is a broad range of Australian Government, NT Government and philanthropic funding opportunities for the Aboriginal tourism sector. Navigating and accessing potential funding opportunities can be a challenging and intensive time consuming activity.

To better assist NT Aboriginal majority owned businesses and organisations, Tourism NT has established the Unlocking Aboriginal Tourism Development Funding initiative.

Under the initiative clients will identify what areas of their business development requires funding.

The initiative focuses on support for tourism-related business development needs for new or existing product offerings and experiences, including:

• new product capital
• enhanced visitor experiences including infrastructure improvements
• business development through improvement in systems and processing e.g. booking systems
• workforce development
• strategic marketing development that supports potential engagement with new markets and trade distribution partners.

There are two levels of consultancy services available:

• Level 1 – advice and initial assistance about potential funding availability with up to a maximum of 2 hours.
• Level 2 – funding application preparation service including assistance in writing submissions up to a maximum of 16 hours.

The Unlocking Aboriginal Tourism Development Fund closes on 25 July 2024 or sooner if the allocated budget is exhausted.

To find out more visit Unlocking Aboriginal Tourism Development Funding.