Action item 12.15

Progress

100%

Complete.
Approved by decision makers.
Recommendation implemented.

That gas companies work proactively with local businesses, local government, Government, Land Councils and communities to ensure that local businesses are able and adequately skilled to compete for contracts, and to assist local businesses to be ready to participate in any economic opportunities that may emerge.

Target completion date

Completed.

Reform area
Maximising regional benefits and local opportunities
Project action
Maximising opportunities for Territory businesses
Lead agency
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Action item update

Implementation

An onshore gas supply chain working group has been established to coordinate industry and government efforts to maximise regional benefits and local opportunities. Members include Northern Territory Government, Santos, Origin Energy, Empire Energy, Tamboran Resources, Central Petroleum, Australian Petroleum and Production Exploration Association (APPEA) and the Industry Capability Network Northern Territory.

Local Benefit Reporting:

  • Current active explorers in the Beetaloo to provide to government an annual local benefit report from the production phase summarising commitment to local benefit and employment. The NT Government will seek participation from other petroleum title holders once they become active.
  • An aggregated industry report on local benefit outcomes to be published annually from the production phase. The NT Government has committed to funding the first 3 reports.

Government initiatives being implemented:

  • Business growth programs and grants
  • Business pivot grants
  • Business upskilling
  • Aboriginal business development program
  • Small business champion guidance
  • Territory Business Centre's in Katherine and Tennant Creek
  • JobTrainer Program
  • Aboriginal employment programs such as Aboriginal Workforce Grants and Aboriginal Responsive Skilling Grants
  • NT VET Programs (apprenticeship and traineeships)
  • Territory Workforce Program
  • Industry Buildskills Program.

The NT Government holds annual information sessions to inform local businesses of upcoming work, pre-qualification and contract requirements, and the process to register interest in project opportunities.

The Northern Territory Business Hub, announced in March 2022, will be delivered by the Northern Territory Indigenous Business Network with satellite offices across the Northern Territory.

The NT Government is procuring a Northern Territory Beetaloo Skills Audit through the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT to be delivered in 2023.

Implementation of the Barkly Regional Deal (Federal, NT and Barkly Regional Council) includes:

  • Development of an Economic Growth Strategy
  • Beetaloo Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy — a study by Charles Darwin University on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development and Communications
  • Development of a Regional Workforce Strategy
  • Juno Jobs – pathways to apprenticeships and traineeships; working model developed for community consultation as a pilot program specific to the Barkly region
  • Development of a Barkly Business Hub in Tennant Creek.

Industry led engagement:

  • Industry-engagement of Traditional Owners for environmental and heritage surveys
  • Industry-led liaison meetings, town briefings and community consultations including industry participation in regional events and conference

    • Individual Exploration Agreements and Indigenous Land Use Agreements are typically negotiated directly by industry licence holders.

The NT Government funded the Industry Capability Network Northern Territory to identify and measure local benefit outcomes realised through onshore industry activities in the Territory through analysis conducted on proponents' procurement data.