Spring
Capability News


Welcome to the Spring 2020 edition of Capability News. Who knew this time last year that Melbourne would be in lockdown, and phrases like “new normal” and “physical distancing” would become common place? We are all sending our support and thanks to those doing it very hard in that state and are pleased to see the recent downward trend in new infections, which hopefully will continue.

 Although the past 6 months have been some of the most trying times for us all, we are thrilled to be able to bring you news of major projects and exciting developments at ICN, and our state offices, as well as two feel-good stories about Australian manufacturing.

SA’s Redarc and Qld’s Elexon are two electronic manufacturers who are riding the waves of growth and expansion both here and overseas. Redarc won Manufacturing Monthly’s Manufacturer of the year, off the back of its successful push into the European motor home market; and Elexon is enjoying the fruits of its labour, with a Made in Queensland grant helping to fun state-of-the-art equipment to help it reach new markets.

Despite Melbourne going into Stage 4 lockdown, ICN Victoria have delivered a range of digital events covering various industry sectors and regions. The team has transitioned well to online events, however, look forward to hosting in-person events soon. Even whilst in lockdown, ICN Victoria has released their Social Procurement Program, which has been established to encourage project proponents to acknowledge that value-for-money in purchasing contracts shouldn’t be decided by price alone. We again would like to reiterate that our support and thoughts are with all those enduring tough times throughout this trying period. Well done, Victoria.

In further exciting news from over in the west, Woodside Petroleum is working with ICNWA to identify local capability for its North West Shelf (NWS) Subsea Tieback Program. The NWS Project fields are the largest single supplier of pipeline gas in Western Australia and have being producing LNG since 1989.

ICNWA has also successfully relaunched the Aboriginal Business Directory (ABDWA), integrating it with Gateway to assist in creating more opportunities for Indigenous-owned businesses in WA.

Across the (hard) border in South Australia, ICN SA has been working alongside the owners and prime contractors at the Osborne Naval Shipyard to ensure local companies have access to opportunities as well as the chance to build capacity. The shipyard is set to become the nation’s premier naval hub, boosting Australia’s reputation as a leader in naval infrastructure.

Further north, ICN NT has opened an office in Katherine to service businesses in the region. Meanwhile, the team in the Territory is working closely with one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies to identify local suppliers for the McArthur River Mine’s ongoing operations and proposed expansion.

Over in the Sunshine State, work is progressing on the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project, which includes 5.9 kilometres of twin tunnels under the Brisbane River and Brisbane CBD. Major construction is planned to be finished by 2024 and is expected to create about 1500 jobs a year in that time.

ICN QLD is also working on the $2 Billion Forest Wind Farm Project, with Siemens Gamesa Renewables Energy to maximise local supplier opportunities for one the southern hemispheres largest onshore wind farms, set to be built on government-owned forestry land in Queensland’s Wide Bay-Burnett region, between Gympie and Maryborough.

In NSW, work packages calling for expressions of interest in Snowy 2.0 project are regularly listed on Gateway. ICN NSW is working with both Future Generation and Voith on the $5 billion project, operated by Snowy Hydro. The first power is expected to be generated in late 2024-early 2025.

Further securing energy supplies, TransGrid is partnering with ElectraNet to deliver EnergyConnect, a 900km energy interconnector between the power grids of South Australia and New South Wales, with an added connection to Victoria. ICN NSW is working with Transgrid to identify local capabilities, including Indigenous-owned businesses.

Finally, in other news, we have launched our updated website, as well as a new B2B marketplace ICN Connect.


New website launched

Developed by Canberra-based design studio, Giraffe, the site structure will make it simpler and easier for project procurement and supply chain suppliers and buyers to choose ICNL’s services.


Global success for SA manufacturing company

South Australian electronics manufacturer, REDARC, has been recognised as Manufacturer of the Year at the annual Manufacturers’ Monthly Endeavour Awards, thanks in no small part to its close relationship with suppliers.


Economy, consumers big winners in energy project

Australian electricity consumers are set to benefit from lower electricity prices and greater energy security, thanks to a proposed transmission line running from Wagga Wagga, NSW, to Robertstown, SA.

TransGrid is partnering with ElectraNet to deliver EnergyConnect, a 900km energy interconnector between the power grids of South Australia and New South Wales, with an added connection to Victoria. 


Major transport project set to transform SE Qld

South east Queensland is set to benefit from an improved and more efficient public transport system thanks to a major rail project that will reduce congestion across the Brisbane River.

There is currently a single rail river crossing and just four inner-city stations, causing a bottleneck and reducing the number of trains that can run each day.


Top End mine commits to local supply chain

The ICN NT Resources team is working closely with Glencore, one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies, to strengthen local supplier opportunities for the McArthur River Mine’s ongoing operations and proposed expansion.


Local opportunities in NWS gas fields

TehcnipFMC is working with ICNWA to identify local capability for Woodside Petroleum’s North West Shelf (NWS) Subsea Tieback Program.

The program focuses on using existing infrastructure to develop reserves from current and undeveloped NWS Project fields.


Snowy 2.0 realising a decades old vision

The Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme, built between 1949-74, is considered one of Australia’s greatest feats of engineering. Now, more than 40 years later, the full vision is being realised with Snowy 2.0.

ICN NSW is working with both Future Generation and Voith Hydro on the project, which is well underway at the construction site in the Snowy Mountains.


1200MW wind farm planned for Queensland

One of the southern hemispheres largest onshore wind farms is set to be on government-owned forestry land in Queensland’s Wide Bay-Burnett region, between Gympie and Maryborough.

The 1200MW Forest Wind project is a joint venture between global engineering giant Siemens and project Queensland renewables company Clean Sight.


New Social Procurement Program launched for ICN Victoria

In 2018 the Victorian State Government determined that it had an opportunity to use its buying power to enter into procurement contracts that could make a real difference to all Victorians. As a result, the Social Procurement Framework (SPF) was released, encouraging project proponents to acknowledge that value-for-money in purchasing contracts shouldn’t be decided by price alone.


State-of the-art equipment bolsters Brisbane electronics manufacturer

Brisbane engineering and electronics company, Elexon Electrics, has used a Made In Queensland grant to partly fund new state-of the art manufacturing equipment to help it move into new markets - including Defence.

Elexon Electronics’ CEO Frank Faller said the company had growing demand from customers who wanted to manufacture onshore.


B2B marketplace addresses supply issues

Australian business that urgently need to source a product or service will be given a helping hand via a new online B2B marketplace that makes it easy to find suppliers.

Developed in partnership with Brisbane-based software and creative communications agency IONYX, ICN Connect is designed to connect buyers looking for new supply chains for products and services with business that can meet their needs.


Aboriginal Business Directory joins forces with ICN Gateway

Western Australian Indigenous owned businesses have received a boost with the relaunch of the enhanced Aboriginal Business Directory of WA (ABDWA), now integrated with ICN Gateway.

About 70 Indigenous and non-Indigenous business owners attended the relaunch of the free directory – held over two days due to physical distancing laws.


New Katherine office

ICN NT has expanded to include a Katherine-based industry adviser to ensure businesses in the region can take advantage of local opportunities.

Colin Abbott moved to Katherine with his family “in search of adventure” and has not been disappointed.


ICN Victoria delivers online

Over the course of July, ICN Victoria were proud to deliver four digital events covering various industry sectors & regions. Although we certainly look forward to hosting in-person events again in the future, we have transitioned to virtual events due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Victoria. Furthermore, we appreciate all the support & commitment from our stakeholders in the challenging times we are facing together.


Australian Defence Export Office launches Pitch Training Program

In partnership with Marketing Entourage, the Australian Defence Export Office (ADEO) has developed a five week online pitch training course to support Australian defence industry companies looking to better promote their capabilities. The program is specifically designed to improve the chances of export success for Australian defence industry companies engaging with foreign military and supply chain companies such as international primes. The training is delivered through a series of webinars, online modules and one-to-one pitch practice sessions. Companies will be provided with the opportunity to have their pitch reviewed by people in highly experienced defence and prime acquisition.


ICN Victoria announces new CEO

Industry Capability Network (ICN) Victoria is delighted to announce Ms Dianne Smith as its new CEO.

On behalf of the Board, Chairman, Tim Piper has today confirmed the appointment. He acknowledged the significant contribution by outgoing Executive Director, Grant Anderson, and thanked him for his stewardship of ICN over the past two years.