June 2022 newsletter

Darwin has been abuzz with Exercise Diamond Storm 22 taking place at Darwin and Delamere Air Weapons Range, and the regions in between. Following on from a six month exercise campaign throughout Australia, Diamond Storm was a finishing activity for the biennial Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC). There are three integrations – known as Exercise Diamond Seas, Exercise Diamond Shield and Exercise Diamond Storm, which integrates warfighting functions across a range of specialisations to develop expert air warfare instructors who will represent the next generation of tactical and integrated warfare experts across the air combat spectrum of RAAF.

Recognising and appreciating industry excellence is a common theme in this month’s DefenceNT Industry Update, and deservingly so. Master Builders NT and NT Indigenous Business Network are seeking nominations for their respective awards events in the coming months.

Photo credit: Commonwealth of Australia (2022). Two Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets prepare to refuel from a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft over the Northern Territory during Exercise Diamond Storm 2022

“The Northern Territory – The Destination for Defence” was a key theme delivered by Deputy Chief Minister the Hon Nicole Manison at the annual ADM Congress last week. As a trusted partner to ADF and Allied Forces, the Northern Territory was front of mind to over 400 senior delegates from Defence and Industry.

Minister Manison outlined the strategic approach the NT Government is taking towards defence and national security, industry development and investment attraction. Naomi Anstess from the Indigenous Business Network NT also spoke at ADM Congress, further raising the profile of the Territory at this event.

DefenceNT will lead an industry delegation to LAND FORCES 2022, the signature defence and industry event in the Indo Pacific, where land defence industries can promote their capabilities to key defence and industry decision makers.

Major programs including the LAND400 Rheinmetall Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, the Boeing AH-64 Apache Helicopters and the future Army Watercraft Fleet, offer opportunities for Australian industry to not only create and maintain a sovereign capability for manufacture, maintenance and support for these systems, but also to demonstrate capability to join international supply chains of their manufacturers.

DefenceNT will be promoting Northern Territory land defence capability at LAND FORCES from 4 to 6 October 2022 in Brisbane Queensland. The Northern Territory Government will support local defence related businesses to co-exhibit on the DefenceNT stand, enabling the opportunity to promote capability to key Defence and Allied Forces and industry stakeholders.

You can submit your formal EOI to Defencent@nt.gov.au by COB Friday 22 July 2022.

CDU is partnering with RMIT University and Siemens to adopt and showcase Industry 4.0 practices and technologies through university and industry collaboration, including research. This will help keep Australia at the forefront of technological advancements in defence industry and aerospace while creating new educational pathways and skills relevant to these sectors through an associated course in Higher Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing.

Read the media release.

DefenceNT are proud to be continuing their silver sponsorship to recognise the best of the best in the Territory’s construction sector, and more importantly those who are delivering highly specialised construction projects to support an evolving defence force, new platforms and future training initiatives in the region.

The biggest industry event in the NT, the Excellence in Building and Construction Awards (EBC) is a grand display of the breadth and scale of the Territory’s building and construction industry. DefenceNT looks forward to presenting the deserving winner of the Defence Facility category.

For more information on the awards event please contact lisa.fracaro@mbant.com.au.

NT Indigenous Business Network (NTIBN) will host their inaugural iNDiSTRY Awards evening on Friday 12 August at Mindil Beach Casino Resort. The evening will celebrate Aboriginal business across a range of industries and highlight their capabilities and capacity to contribute to the NT economy.

Nominations are now open for NTIBN Certified members and will close 11 July 2022. For more information on the nomination process and award categories contact NTIBN on 1300 192 164 or email admin@ntibn.com.au

See nomination and ticket information for the iNDiSTRY Awards evening

The Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS) is interested in assisting Defence members and Veterans in the NT to engage with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS) is a free, independent legal service that supports Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, their families, carers and supporters, to share their experiences with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. DAVLS is a National Legal Aid project and covers every state and territory across Australia.

The Royal Commission needs to hear directly from Defence members and veterans with lived experience of poor mental health outcomes or suicide ideation or action, as well as their families and supporters. The more our organisations can support this engagement, the more likely that well-informed recommendations for reform will be the result.
For more information please visit the DAVLS website.

ICN Gateway is an essential tool for businesses interested in participating in defence projects. Current opportunities in the NT include:

J0109 Larrakeyah Defence Precinct Redevelopment Program 

EST00346 Tindal Redevelopment / EST00347 KC-30A Facilities 

USFPI Northern Territory Training Areas & Ranges Project 

Australian Defence Export Office (Team Defence Australia tradeshows) 

US Bulk Fuel Storage Facility

NORSTA MARITIME: Regional Maintenance Provider - North 

Ventia - Regional Maintenance Provider - North 

Ventia - Defence Base Services NT 

Other opportunities

Notice – EST00351 (P0009) RAAF Base Darwin– ECIHC Procurement

AusTender have released a notice for a potential upcoming procurement. Potential tenderers are advised that the procurement strategy for the EST00351 (P0009) National Airfield Works Project – RAAF Base Darwin involves the early engagement of up to two Head Contractors for RAAF Base Darwin.

Potential capability required from local industry could include asphalt resurfacing and concrete re-construction of airfield pavement, Aeronautical Ground Lighting and pavement drainage (including runway crossings). Further advice will be provided upon the release of each Request for Tender; this is expected to occur in Q3 of 2022.

For more information on this notice click here.

Defence Capital Facilities Infrastructure Branch Upcoming Approaches to Market Notice May 2022 

In May 2022 the Department of Defence's Capital Facilities and Infrastructure Branch (CFI) for capital facilities and infrastructure projects released the abovementioned notice on planned upcoming approaches to market which may be released on AusTender.

For more information visit AusTender online  online.

Defence Innovation Hub Industry Briefing (online) - 28 June

From 1 July 2022, the Hub will seek submissions for innovations that will strengthen specific defence capabilities in the areas of:

• integrated air and missile defence and
• undersea warfare

The Briefing will give industry an opportunity to hear directly from Defence and ask questions about the specific capabilities they are seeking within the focus areas. While the key focus areas have been identified as a high priority for investment, industry and research organisations will also be able to make Submissions across the domains outlined in the 2020 Force Structure Plan – Information and Cyber, Maritime, Air, Space, Land and enterprise wide enabling capabilities.

Note, the Briefing on 28 June will focus on integrated air and missile defence and undersea warfare capabilities, more detailed information about the capabilities being sought for the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance will be provided in due course.

For more information and to register please click here  

Safety in Design Workshop - Darwin - 29 June

The Australian Institute of Project Management (NT Chapter) will host a Safety in Design Workshop. The workshop objective is to improve WHS outcomes on projects through providing attendees a better understanding of the NT specific legislative requirements, and socialising the best practice approach to Safety in Design through engagement and collaboration with stakeholders throughout project planning, delivery and close out phases.

Key event takeaways include improved understanding, networking opportunities, industry best practice, how to plan safety in design for your projects and what the limits of responsibility are.

Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm 
Location: Motor Sports House, Level 1, 171 Hidden Valley Road, Hidden Valley Darwin

For more information and online registration visit the AIPM website.

Ventia Industry Engagement - Darwin - 29 June

Ventia is one of the largest essential service providers in Australia and New Zealand. Every day they work alongside our colleagues to inspire confidence by providing the services that keep infrastructure working for our communities.

The event will be attended by Ventia Regional and Contract leadership. It is a great opportunity to Meet and Greet with the aim to diversify Ventia’s network and create new connections with other local business professionals.

Time: 4pm to 6pm 
Location: Wharf One, 19 Kitchener Drive, Darwin 
Registrations: Online form

Defence Industry Networking Drinks – Darwin – 20 July

The Defence Industry Networking team will host their inaugural Defence Industry Networking Drinks in Darwin next month. This will be a great opportunity for anyone involved or interested in the Defence industry to come along and network.

Time: from 5.30pm 
Location: The Cav Hotel, 12 Cavenagh St Darwin 
No RSVP required

For more information click here.

The Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research Summit – Sydney – 22 July

ADSTAR is Australia's principal forum for sharing and showcasing defence-related research and innovation. The summit brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, small business, big business, universities, industry and government to network, share ideas and help shape future collaboration.

The theme for the ADSTAR 2022 is 'Resilience', how to prevail in rapidly changing and unpredictable settings. Specifically, the summit will focus on the use of AI, human and defensive biotechnologies and resilience in contested environments. 
For more information and to register, visit the ADSTAR website.

AMGC Meet the Territory event – Darwin – 28 and 29 July

Over the two-day event, you will learn about how to access AME Fund of $7.5 million, meet with potential collaboration partners, understand the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission report and the key manufacturing areas of priority in the NT, engage in a speed networking session with NT manufacturers, listen and learn from industry and expert leaders, participate in a ‘key highlights’ bus tour of Darwin, which includes various site visits of local manufacturing businesses.

Day 1 – Development House, Level 1 Northern Australian Conference Room, 76 The Esplanade, Darwin NT 0800

Day 2 – 8am Pick up at Development House, 76 The Esplanade, Darwin NT 0800 for a bus tour.

For more information and to register visit the AMGC website.