October 2023 newsletter

On Monday 9 October 2023, Master Builders NT will launch the Defence report Billion Dollar Partnership: Economic Impacts of Defence Infrastructure in the Northern Territory.

The launch event will include an expert panel to discuss the opportunities associated with Defence’s infrastructure investment program in the Territory.

Since 2016, an $8 billion decade long defence infrastructure program has presented great demands on the local building and construction sector. Over this time, local participation across these defence infrastructure programs has increased significantly and this is a testament to the work done by Master Builders NT in ensuring Commonwealth procurement processes are adjusted to the northern market.

DefenceNT remain proud sponsors of the Master Builders Excellence in Building and Construction Awards. It is important to recognise the best of the best in the Territory’s construction sector, and those who are delivering highly specialised work to support an evolving defence force, new platforms and future training initiatives in the region.

It’s great to see these Territory businesses heading the National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards, which are being held in Perth 23 to 25 November 2023.

• Sitzler  - AIR7000 Phase 2B Package 1 (Aircraft Hangar) Nationally entered into: National Commercial/Industrial Construction Award – $50 million to $100 million
• Sunbuild - Norforce Precinct – Larrakeyah Nationally entered into: National Commercial/Industrial Construction Award – $20 million to $50 million
• Barpa  - Larrakeyah Officers Mess Nationally entered into: National Commercial Historical Restoration/Renovation Award.

Local business M+J Builders, also received a defence project award for their works carried out Defence Establishment Berrimah. Congratulations to all involved.

DefenceNT is leading an industry delegation to Indo Pacific 2023 in November. Indo Pacific is the signature maritime industry event in the region, where maritime and naval suppliers promote their capabilities to key defence and industry decision makers.

Naval infrastructure and new platforms, like the Army’s littoral watercraft fleet, will have a significant presence in northern Australia in years to come. Indo Pacific will be an opportunity for the Northern Territory to promote its strategic geography, enabling infrastructure and maritime maintenance and sustainment capabilities at a time where there is increased focus on Defence posturing and investment.

DefenceNT is proud to announce 20 co-exhibitors that will form the Territory’s industry delegation:

• Micks Ally Fab
• Baldwin Group
• Norship Marine
• Shorebarge
• ENZED Service Centre Darwin
• Frontier Marine Services
• Northern Ship Support
• SeaSwift

• Griffin Marine Services
• Northern Maritime & Industrial Services
• TEC Automation
• Draeger
• Life h2o
• Land Development Corporation
• Fire & Safety Australia

• Complete Maintenance & Engineering
• Oceantec
• Safety Direct Solutions
• Office of Defence Industry Support
• Industry Capability Network NT.

The Industry Capability Network (ICN) is an organisation that introduces Australian businesses to projects large and small. ICN’s primary role is to enhance sovereign capability and local supply chains within major projects.

With a network of over 90,000 Australian businesses, including 4,000 in the Northern Territory, ICN provides project owners a platform to engage local industry while utilising their comprehensive business data to inform procurement decisions, map supply chains, and foster local economic growth.

ICN operates predominantly during the scoping phase of the procurement lifecycle, using business capability data provided to them by local businesses to positively influence decisions toward local businesses. With a significant wave of incoming project work across Defence and other sectors, it’s critical that ICN has an accurate record of your business capability and capacity.

It’s equally important that you use ICN’s website (ICN Gateway) to subscribe to project developments, see Territory Projects, and establish your notification settings to ensure you are always updated with new opportunities.

If you want to make an appointment to speak to an Advisor from ICN, go to theICN Northern Territory website

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is seeking feedback on the Maritime Industry Development Plan, which sets out a clear and coordinated strategic blueprint for the Northern Territory maritime industry.

The Maritime Industry Development Plan (MIDP) has been developed following extensive internal and external consultation and provides a whole-of-government and industry framework for the development of the maritime sector.  The MIDP provides a framework to grow the size, scope, capability and commercial sustainability of the Territory’s maritime sector.

In 2019-20, the direct value of the maritime industry to the Territory’s economy was $184 million, with the sector expected to grow to $347 million by 2030. The maritime industry currently employs 980 full time workers, which is anticipated to surge to at 1,490 by 2030.

The MIDP includes the development of the Marine Industry Park, Darwin Ship Lift, Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct, berths for superyachts, and a holistic approach to ports throughout the Territory.

The Darwin Ship Lift and Marine Industry Park will become the centrepiece of the Territory’s maritime industry, paving the way for hundreds of jobs and positioning Darwin as a major international and national player in the marine services industry.

Industry, government agencies, educational institutions, Department of Defence and Australian Border Force, port owners and managers, land councils, unions, the broader community and other relevant stakeholders now have a final opportunity to provide feedback on the drat MIDP.

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month (CSAM), a time for all Australians to improve their cyber security knowledge and take action to protect their information and devices.

The theme for 2023, 'Be cyber wise – don’t compromise', encourages you to take 4 simple steps to be more cyber wise:

• update your devices regularly
• turn-on multi-factor authentication
• backup your important files
• use passphrases and password managers.

The Commonwealth’s latest Annual Cyber Threat Report indicates that cybercrime is reported on average once every 7 minutes, a 13 per cent increase from the previous financial year. Even these 4 simple steps can reduce the knowledge gaps cybercriminals rely on.

For more information to encourage greater cyber awareness within your organisation visit the Australian Government website.

Projects in contract:

• Darwin Ship Lift Project
• EST00346 Tindal Redevelopment / EST00347 KC-30A Facilities
• Halikos - Robertson Barracks Base Improvements Program
• RAAF Darwin Refresh Program
• USFPI Northern Territory Training Areas & Ranges Project
• US Bulk Fuel Storage Facility
• Ventia Defence Base Services NT

Bid Stage Industry Engagement

• Australian Defence Export Office (Team Defence Australia tradeshows)
• HMAS Coonawarra - NCIS 6B
• Base Services Transformation Program - Flour
• Base Services Transformation Program - Downer
• Regional Maintenance Provider North - NORSTA
• Regional Maintenance Provider North - Ventia

Opportunities

Estate Works Program Update

The Estate Works Program (EWP) delivers facilities and infrastructure maintenance projects aimed at restoring or sustaining capability. EWP projects are valued from $10,000 to $15 million, and focus on addressing safety and compliance requirements on the Defence estate. All EWP opportunities are published on AusTender.

The latest forward schedule of planned tender releases for the Defence Estate Works Program has been released. This is a handy link to monitor future opportunities!

An Industry Briefing will also be held at the Darwin Innovation Hub NT from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Tuesday 24 October 2023. Register to attend here.

Market Sounding Process - Defence Capital Works Projects

Following the release of the Defence Strategic review (DSR) in April 2023, there is anticipated to be a range of construction related opportunities across northern Australia. For the Commonwealth to consider the potential delivery of Anticipated Works a Market Sounding Process has been initiated for Design Services and the Construction industry.

The Anticipated Works are likely to be primarily delivered north of the Tropic of Capricorn and may comprise, at a high level, the following scope:

• roads, car parking, hardstands, pavements, and taxiways to support aircraft
• replacement of existing office accommodation, living in accommodation, range control facilities, etc.
• large scale civil/Range systems
• ancillary external facilities
• external infrastructure (above and below ground) to support new facilities.

Market Sounding Process

• Construction sector – Defence Capital Facilities and Infrastructure. View on the  AusTender website.
• Design Services – Defence Capital Facilities and Infrastructure. View on the AusTender website.

Billion Dollar Partnership: The Defence Report | Hosted by Master Builders NT, 9 October, Darwin.

The Master Builders NT launch of Billion Dollar Partnership will give insight into potential business prospects within the Territory construction industry over the next five years.  John Nicolaou from ACIL Allen and a panel of industry experts will also discuss the amount allocated to Defence construction in the NT as well as the opportunities that will emerge for builders, trade contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers. For more information on this event and to register, go to the StickyTickets website.

October Business Month: Defence 101, 10 October, Darwin

This year’s OBM program will feature a panel discussion from NT defence industry support organisations who will discuss the defence market, identifying opportunities and enhancing defence readiness. Presentations will be given by DefenceNT, Master Builders NT, Industry Capability Network NT, Office of Defence Industry Support, Australia Industry and Defence Network, NT Indigenous Business Network and the Chamber of Commerce.

For more information and to register, go to the OBM website.

ODIS Forum 2023, 17 October, Darwin

The Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS) aims to help smaller businesses bolster their market presence and expand their defence footprint. This year’s ODIS Forum will include briefings and updates from Government and industry stakeholders and small and medium enterprises.

• Regional Maintenance Centre North
• Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise
• Indigenous Procurement Policy
• Cyber and Security and more.

For more information on the program and to register, go to the Defence website.

The federal government has announced it is spending $1.5 billion on acquiring a fourth MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system, with the first of the four to be delivered in 2024.

That figure is also going towards upgrades to the Air Force’s P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, improving the fleet’s anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike and intelligence collection capabilities.

When in service, all four Triton aircraft will be based at RAAF Base Tindal and operated by the newly reformed Number 9 Squadron from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia.

Able to travel at speeds of 600km/hr, the un-crewed aircraft can provide persistent surveillance over Australia’s maritime region within a distance of 15,000 kilometres.

The required ground and support systems for the Triton aircraft are also expected to create 40 high-skilled jobs in the Territory, as part of a $220 million contract with Northrop Grumman.

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the new aircraft would 'enhance operations' from Australia’s northern bases – a priority under the Defence Strategic Review.

It is expected the first upgrades to Poseidon aircraft, which are based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, will be made in 2026 before the full fleet is enhanced by the end of this decade.

The ADF will work with Boeing Defence Australia on delivering the Poseidon upgrades on Australian shores, increasing local jobs and industry opportunities.