ADG Indigenous Outcomes Progress Report June 2020

NT Airports progress achieving Indigenous outcomes

The NT Airports have completed the upgrades to the Alice Springs Airport involving resurfacing of the runway and new lighting. An Indigenous employment target of 6.7% was achieved through the efforts of the principal contractor Downer who also supported the NT Indigenous Business Network to fly to Alice from Darwin to deliver an industry briefing targeting Indigenous contractors.

Downer observed that the nature of the roles required, being highly skilled and specialised, in combination with the project being delivered over a short period of time, represented challenges in seeking to achieve the 10% Indigenous employment target.

A Supply Nation certified 51% Indigenous owned company Black Cat Civil successfully tendered for a package of works over $1.2m, with three Indigenous people directly on the project. During construction Alice Springs Airport hosted a site visit for Yipirinya School students providing a positive opportunity for students to see what type of activities and jobs are involved in the upgrade work.

Meanwhile back in Darwin, the 6,000 sq m Cold Storage and Freight Facility project was constructed and delivered a 5.2% Indigenous employment outcome with an additional 2% of Indigenous engagement opportunities delivered through supply manufacture and support trades. The head contractor, Sunbuild Pty Ltd maintain an Indigenous workforce of around 20% and actively engages subcontractors who value Indigenous engagement. The 25 Indigenous workers employed through this project covered a range of trades and industries including: fencing and gates, civil and earthmoving, concreting and formwork, plumbing, asbestos removal, concrete pumping, scaffold, general construction labour, electrical, freight, mechanical sweeping, fire management and cranage. There were also four FTE Indigenous trainees/apprentices as part of the construction phase of the project.

NT Airports will continue to deliver on their IES commitments through future project elements and day-to-day operations, which have of course been significantly impacted by COVID-19.