A major influence within the construction industry passed away recently. It’s not that it would be broadly known outside the sector, because that’s the way Charles Wright operated. He was a quiet man who didn’t seek notoriety but the who’s who of construction at his funeral service bore testimony to the respect and affection in which he was held.
The long-term principle of QS Services epitomised those that give back to the industry that supported him. I first met him as a committee member on the International Business Council at the Chamber, but later worked with him as Chair and long-standing Board member at ICN NT. He contributed to Master Builders NT over many years serving as an Executive Director, as he did on the Fidelity Fund Board. He served the NT Chapter of the Australian Institute of Quality Surveyors over a long period and as a committee member on the Australian Defence and Industry Network NT. My apologies to those affiliations I’ve missed, as I’m sure there will be more.
There will be no gongs or statues to commemorate Charles’ contribution, but we should be inspired by his willingness to give back. His family and work dominated his life and he was otherwise intensely private. He suffered for too long at the end, but he can rest in peace in the knowledge of a life well lived, and one greatly appreciated.
Kevin Peters
Chief Executive Officer
Company Showcase
Darwin Innovation Hub - April 2022 Showcase Company
The Paspalis family has operated in the Northern Territory for 3 generations dating back to the 1920s when CEO Harley Paroulakis’ grandfather began work in Darwin. Paspalis is now well known in Australia as a privately owned company heavily entrenched in the commercial development of industries in the Northern Territory.
Since 2019, Paspalis has invested $75 million in new capital creating a lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses and the communities in which we live.
A new ICN Gateway page has been published for Santos - Bayu-Undan Carbon Capture and Storage Project. Please express your interest against the 'General Updates' function for all project updates.
Sun Cable has achieved a significant development milestone for the Australia-Asia PowerLink (AAPowerLink), having recently lodged the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority.
LDC are calling for interests for marine maintenance providers to establish new premises on serviced lots at the Marine Industry Park. Additionally accepting interest for a new premise at the Holtze Industrial Estate.
A new ICN Gateway page has been published for Tennant Mining Nobles Nob Gold Project. Please express your interest against the 'General Updates' function for all project updates.
Ventia - Regional Maintenance Provider North (Darwin)
Ventia are currently tendering with Defence for the Regional Maintenance Centre North in Darwin. They're currently seeking EOIs from interested local contractors. Express interest against the 'General Updates' feature.
Ventia has a strong presence in the Defence sector for the Northern Territory, delivering Defence Base Services. Register your interest against the 'General Updates' feature for project opportunities from Ventia's Defence Base Services in the Northern Territory.
Halikos Group have several awarded work packages on the CDU City Campus project page. To view the details of the awarded companies, please refer to the project's ICN Gateway page.
USFPI Northern Territory Training Areas and Ranges Project
Sitzler have awarded the contractor for package 101 Electrical and Communications Infrastructure. Register your interest against the 'General Updates' feature to stay informed on all project activity.
Tamboran Resources has a new ICN Gateway page for their Northern Territory operations. Register your interest against the 'Any Opportunities' feature to stay informed on all project activity.
To date, the majority of the activity undertaken on site has been preparatory infrastructure works needed to support the mining and plant construction efforts. Activities have included road works, clearing, establishment of administration buildings and erection of communication towers.
Australian resource and mineral processing technology company TNG Limited is pleased to advise that a new program of water bore drilling has commenced at its flagship 100%-owned Mount Peake Vanadium-Titanium-Iron Project in the Northern Territory.
The past month has been busy with events, meeting new people and discussing all things ICN. I had the pleasure of looking after the ICN booth at the AGES Seminar, which saw many opportunities to network with interesting people in the geoscience exploration industry. Thanks, Sandy Beasy, for coming down from the Darwin office to assist.
Further to this, I was delighted in representing ICN NT at the Territory Business Projects and Tourism Towards 2030 seminar in Alice Springs. I even had the opportunity to hit the road and attend the Tennant Mining Briefing in Tennant Creek.
With the growing number of local opportunities happening in the centre of Australia, it is very important to have your ICN profile up to date. Please feel free in reaching out to me to arrange a meeting and we can go over the process together. E. Jarrad.falkenberg@icnnt.org.au | P. 0409 559 440.
Kind regards,
Jarrad Falkenberg
Industry Advisor – Central Region
From Katherine
Over the past month, there have been more projects and enquiries available for the Katherine and Barkly regions. It is as important as ever to ensure that your profile is up-to-date and that your notifications are set. One area of focus I would recommend is clearly listing your products and services so that it is clear to the ICN employee and you're not missed in the process.
I had the pleasure of catching up with businesses in Tennant Creek this month. I plan to make another visit over the coming weeks so please let me know if you would like to schedule a meeting.
I will also be presenting at the Katherine and Barkly Major Project conference on 5 May 2022. If you're attending the conference, I look forward to seeing you there.
As always, assistance is just a telephone call or email away. Make some time to call into the office or let me know if you would like to make an appointment. I can be contacted either on 0409 527 604 or email colin.abbott@icnnt.org.au.
All the best, Colin Abbott
Industry Advisor – Katherine Region
From East Arnhem
In East Arnhem, the countdown is on for NASA’s first-ever commercial spaceport rocket launch. They’re proposing to launch 3 rockets between a 6-week period in June and July, depending on the weather conditions over this time. Equatorial Launch Australia plan to stream this live, so watch this space as excitement builds.
As we head into the dry season, project work will resume to full capacity. Please make sure your ICN profile is up-to-date and current. Feel free in reaching out to one of our consultants for assistance in this process. P. 08 8922 9422 | E. enquiries@icnnt.org.au.
Regards,
Industry Capability Network – East Arnhem
Info for Business
Growing the Territory's Digital Capabilities
The Chief Minister, with global tech company NEC Australia and NEC Corporation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The signing will strengthen NEC and Government’s partnership to develop a sustainable innovation ecosystem and grow the Territory’s digital capabilities. It follows significant private sector investment in subsea fibre optic cable and data centre infrastructure.
Darwin Innovation Hub investment funding will be used by AAI to leverage co-investment from the Northern Territory Local Jobs Fund and kickstart a program to refurbish and build a new version of the legendary Albatross flying boat – an aircraft that can take off and touch down on land, snow, ice and water.
The NT EPA invites public comment on a proponent-initiated EIS referral of a strategic proposal for strategic assessment submitted by the NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics for a program to establish an industrial precinct on Middle Arm Peninsula, Darwin Harbour.
First grant awarded under the Northern Territory’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund
The Territory’s investment in growing its advanced manufacturing ecosystem has picked up the pace, with the awarding of the first co-investment grant to a Territory-based manufacturer under the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) managed Northern Territory Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF). Read more➔
Rocketing into Space from the Territory
The space industry has taken an important leap forward in the Territory today with the release of the Territory Space Strategy 2022-2026.
The Territory Government has released a new space strategy which will capitalise on the Northern Territory’s strategic advantages to attract investment and create local jobs.