Humpty Doo Barramundi - IES Summary February 2021

Project overview

NAIF has provided a loan to a three-stage aquaculture project to improve processing and production of high-quality farmed barramundi to be distributed across Australia and internationally.

Humpty Doo Barramundi Pty Ltd (HDB) undertook the first stage of their expansion in 2018-19 with a $7.18m loan for pond and nursery facility expansion. The stage two expansion with a $24.4m loan, combined with additional funding by co-lender ANZ, includes the construction of the first purpose built commercial barramundi hatchery in the NT providing juvenile fish security to the Territory as well as new infrastructure including ponds and improvements to existing facilities (nursery, packing shed, roads and electrical including addition of rooftop solar).

Key commitments

The original Indigenous Engagement Strategy for Stage 1 provided key commitments of:

• An Indigenous employment target of 10%;
• Employment of a culturally appropriate HR Manager & Mentor to support Indigenous employment and participation opportunities; and,
• Identification of sub-contracting opportunities for Aboriginal businesses and engage suppliers and service providers with a demonstrated commitment to Indigenous engagement.

The revised Indigenous Engagement Strategy for Stage 2 builds on these including:

• Achieving an Aboriginal employment target of 9% increasing to 11% by end of 2021;
• Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan; and,
• Expanding Procurement Policy (for construction and operational phases) to provide greater opportunities for Indigenous contracting and subcontracting.

Community engagement and relationships

HDB will continue their engagement with Indigenous-owned, local provider, Cross Cultural Consultants to guide the company through a staged cultural competency process including the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan.

Key relationships are being prioritised including with the Larrakia Development Corporation and the NT Indigenous Business Network to progress Indigenous business procurement opportunities and understanding the needs of Indigenous businesses. HDB will continue to find opportunities to work with Clayton Donovan, celebrated and ‘hatted’ Indigenous chef.

HDB will continue to collaborate with Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours building cultural awareness amongst HDB trade partners in particular.

Supporting stronger communities – employment and contracting

Training through Cert IV in Aquaculture and/or Cert IV in Business will continue to be offered to team members, with learning opportunities provided to Indigenous groups through on-site farm tours.

The Aboriginal employment target of 9% will be sought to be achieved, with a stretch target of 11% by the end of 2021. Engagement with key operators, such as Ironbark and Karen Sheldon Group will facilitate increased recruitment and retention of Aboriginal employees.

HDB will continue the Sentenced to a Job – Pathways to Employability Program with the NT Correctional Services providing workplace opportunities to inmates assisting their post-release transition to employment.

The Procurement Policy has been expanded to include evaluation criteria to improve opportunities for Indigenous contracting/subcontracting and service provision across the construction and operational phase of the project. Input will be sought from key stakeholders including NT Indigenous Business Network and the National Indigenous Australians Agency.

Monitoring and reporting approaches will be revised, including across employment and procurement metrics, to ensure agreed value in quantitative and qualitative measurement of outcomes.