Spring
Capability News


Spring is in air, and with the warmer weather comes new business wins and opportunities for Australian SMEs.

In this edition, we bring you up-to-date news about the Northern Gas Pipeline, which spans from 45km north-west of Tennant Creek to 113km west of the Queensland border. The project, expected to employ around 900 people in the construction phase, was one of the drivers behind ICN NT’s decision to open an office in Alice Springs. 

In other exciting resources news, the Ichthys Venturer offshore processing plant has been safely moored off the northern WA coast. ICN administers and manages the SAMP funding for this project, and it’s rewarding to see it come to fruition.

Further south, ICN SA has been working with major project owner, Downer, on a $40 million road upgrade that will easing freight productivity constraints for the Yorke Peninsula.

Over in the eastern states, more than 120 local suppliers have submitted expressions of interest in the White Rock Solar Farm, a renewable energy project in the New England region of NSW.

Meanwhile, our consultants have been busy at a variety of industry events and briefing sessions, including Building the Territory, the SA Energy Efficiency Expo and the nationwide future submarine briefings.

We hope you enjoy reading this edition, and we look forward to continuing to support Australian industry.

 

Don Matthews Chair, ICN Executive Directors


Ichthys Venturer adventures off the WA coast

The INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project’s Floating facility (FPSO), ‘Ichthys Venturer’ has been safely moored in the Ichthys Field, 220 kilometres off the north coast of Western Australia.

‘The Ichthys project came under an Australian Industry Participation (AIP) plan in 2010,’ ICN Limited Executive Director, Derek Lark said.

‘Australian suppliers who wanted to work on the project needed to be registered on ICN Gateway, rather than engaging directly with INPEX.’


Renewable energy hub for northern NSW

The New England region of NSW is fast becoming the renewable energy hub of Australia with White Rock Solar Farm, near Glen Innes, due to be operational in 2018.

The $41 million windfarm, developed by Goldwind Australia, is a 20MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) development and complements Goldwind’s White Rock Wind Farm, which is expected to be operating late this year.


Northern Gas Pipeline begins construction

Work on the Northern Gas Pipeline, which spans 622 kilometres between Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory, and Mount Isa in Queensland, is well underway with a number of local and Indigenous businesses winning work packages via ICN Gateway.

In late 2015, the Northern Territory Government selected Jemena to build, own and operate the pipeline; and design, approvals and construction planning works began.


Major road upgrade for regional South Australia

Local suppliers are encouraged to submit expressions of interest in an almost $40 million road upgrade for South Australia’s Upper Yorke Peninsula.

Downer won the major tender earlier this year and is working with ICN SA to source local content.


The project is expected to improve safety and efficiency for heavy vehicles, motorists and agricultural vehicles driving on roads in the region.


Downer is currently seeking expressions of interest through ICN Gateway for a major component of the program to improve freight access between Ardrossan and Port Wakefield for road train access.


Victorian Manufacturing Showcase – creating new opportunities

For the fourth year in a row, ICN Victoria has partnered with the Victorian Government to host the Victorian Manufacturing Showcase.

With the theme of “Creating New Opportunities”, the aim of the showcase is to provide opportunities for Victorian manufacturers to gain invaluable insights into successful Victorian businesses whilst networking with other manufacturers and the Victorian Government.


Australia-wide briefings for Future Submarine Program

In a bid to maximise local content in the Future Submarine Program, French Shipbuilder, Naval Group (formerly DCNS), along with Department of Defence and Lockheed Martin, has been holding industry briefings across the country, including most recently Perth and Hobart.

According to ICN Perth Consultant, Daniel Holbrook, attendees at the Perth session heard about the range of opportunities available in the program and how to be involved.


VIPP Forward Plan identifies strategic projects

The Victorian Government has released its latest forward plan under the Local Jobs First – Victorian Industry Participation Policy, identifying 83 Strategic Projects, including three complete, 54 current and 26 future projects. 

‘From sourcing local steel and concrete, to giving apprentices a chance to build their career – our major projects are creating local jobs and opportunities for Victorian businesses and suppliers,’ Victorian Minister for Industry and Employment, Wade Noonan said in announcing the plan at the $340 million Melbourne Park Redevelopment site.


ICN NT helping build the Territory

The core of ICN’s service is “business matching”, ICN NT Project Co-ordinator Elena Tsangari recently told delegates at the Building the Territory conference.

‘Someone with a genuine business opportunity will approach us. They could have a need as broad as requiring a list of electricians that service the Tennant Creek region, or something quite defined,’ Elena said.


SA businesses benefit from Energy Efficiency Expo and Seminar

The inaugural Energy Efficiency Expo and Seminar was recently hosted by ICN SA and the Department of State Development in Adelaide.

SA Premier Jay Weatherill opened the event, which attracted over 400 delegates and 47 exhibitors. Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese also supported and presented at the event.


A boost to Gippsland

ICN Victoria welcomes Colin Young, Regional Industry Advisor (Gippsland).

As a long-time resident of the Latrobe region, with 38 years in engineering and management at Victoria’s largest generator Loy Yang Power under his belt, Colin is an ideal fit for ICN Victoria.