Welcome
As Australia transitions to “COVID normal”, our ICN network offices continue to support small and medium businesses looking for opportunities to be involved in the country’s economic recovery.
This edition, we speak with ICN Victoria Chief Executive Officer Dianne Smith about the work her team is doing as part of the state’s ‘Big Build’, and how ICN engaged with Victorian businesses through numerous lockdowns.
Two Australian companies are celebrating big wins in the BAE Systems Australia Hunter Class frigate project. West Australia’s Altrad Services has established an office in Adelaide as a result of winning the contract to provide blast and paint services for the prototype stage; while South Australia’s Codha Wireless was one of 4 Australian companies chosen from an “innovation challenge” to help fast track manufacturing processes for the project.
In Queensland, Indigenous owned and operated and Supply Nation certified company, Bridgman is working with Australian Government agencies, to improve employment and training outcomes for Indigenous People across Australia.
Defence is also big news in the Top End, with construction ramping up on a range of projects under the banner of the United States Forces Posture Initiative (USFPI), as well as a major US Defence jet fuel management storage facility being built in Darwin.
Over in the west, Bunbara Group, a proud Aboriginal female-owned company, has won a supply agreement with Shell Australia; and Woodside Petroleum is using ICNWA to identify local capability for a range of opportunities to develop new gas resources in the Pilbara.
From traditional to sustainable energy resources, Amp Power Australia is developing two solar farms north of Adelaide and is looking to engage with local entrepreneurs.
In Adelaide itself, the final stage of the North-South Corridor – the 10.5km Torrens to Darlington Project – is in the development phase.
Moving east, construction has started on EnergyConnect, with principal contractor, SecureEnergy committed to supporting capacity building of regional NSW suppliers for the EnergyConnect.
Beach Energy is calling for expressions of interest in a range of work packages related to the Otway Offshore Gas Project, comprising the Geographe and Thylacine offshore gas field.
Meanwhile, NSW businesses have the chance to get involved with a couple of major projects.
The Powerhouse Parramatta is the largest investment in cultural infrastructure since the Sydney Opera House and the first major NSW cultural institution to be established in Western Sydney.
And UGL Regional Linx has won a 10-year contract to operate and maintain the Country Regional Network (CRN) in regional NSW, and has committed to at least 80% regional employment.
Still with transport, construction on the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 is ramping up, with early works underway.
Finally, in Cairns, the Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre will bring cutting-edge technology to the issues faced by health and medical professionals and their remote, rural and Indigenous patients.
As you can see, Australian construction and manufacturing is well-placed to support our future prosperity.
Kevin Peters
Chair, ICN Executive Directors
Articles in this newsletter
ICN News
1. Win for regional rail
UGL Regional Linx has secured a 10-year contract to operate and maintain the Country Regional Network (CRN) in Regional NSW, with its administrative base established in Orange.
UGLRL has committed to at least 80% regional employment on the CRN and has listed more than 20 work packages on its ICN Gateway page. Read more
2. SecureEnergy is building Australia’s largest transmission project
EnergyConnect is the nation’s largest transmission project, involving the construction of 900km of new transmission lines between the electrical grids of NSW, SA and VIC.
Connecting the power grids of three Australian states increases system strength and provides access to renewable generators, driving competition in the wholesale electricity market. Read more
3. Beach Energy – Otway Offshore Project
Beach Energy is an ASX listed, oil and gas, exploration and production company headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia.
It has operated and non-operated, onshore and offshore, oil and gas production from five producing basins across Australia and New Zealand and is a key supplier to the Australian east coast gas market. Read more
4. Non-stop travel through Adelaide
The final part of Adelaide’s most important transport route – the North-South Corridor – is in development phase, with full funding for the 10.5km Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project confirmed in February this year.
Main construction on the $9.9 billion project is expected to start in late 2023 and be finished by 2030. Read more
5. More solar power slated for SA
Amp Power Australia (Amp) is developing two energy projects north of Adelaide and is looking to engage with local entrepreneurs and businesses to assist with the supply of renewable energy in South Australia.
The Robertstown and Bungama projects are part of Amp’s flagship Renewable Energy Hub of South Australia. Read more
6. Defence opportunities in the Top End
Construction is ramping up on a range of capital infrastructure works and supporting projects developed under the banner of the United States Forces Posture Initiative (USFPI) in the Top End.
Project owner, Territory-based construction company Sitzler, is using ICN Gateway to call for registrations on interest in the $711 million project, targeted to be completed mid-2026. Read more
7. eTeaching hospital slated for FNQ
James Cook University is using ICN Gateway to call for expressions of interest from local suppliers in the development of the Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre (CTEC).
Co-located with the new Cairns Health Innovation Centre (CHIC), the CTEC will be home to research in fields such as data science and Internet of Things (IoT). Read more
8. More opportunities coming for Pilbara gas projects
Woodside and its main contractors are working with ICNWA to identify local capability for a range of opportunities to develop new gas resources through proven LNG facilities in the Pilbara, Western Australia.
This includes developing the Scarborough offshore gas field, together with onshore expansion at the Pluto LNG Park and third-party processing opportunities through existing North West Shelf facilities. Read more
Good News Stories
ICN Victoria supporting COVID-19 recovery
There’s no doubt that Melbourne and Victoria have borne the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, but ICN Victoria Chief Executive Officer Dianne Smith is confident about the economic future of the state.
“ICN Victoria has always been on hand to support the local economy, from project and advocacy forums to facilitating local industry engagement on government procurements,” she said. Read more
Aboriginal female led company takes success in their stride
Bunbara Group, a proud Aboriginal Female owned company have recently announced their success in gaining a supply agreement with Shell Australia.
Australian based with their corporate offices in the heart of Applecross, just south of Perth’s CBD, Bunbara’s dedicated team offer world wide services including the supply of high quality fittings, flanges, forged products, pipes, accessories that can be tailored to client required specifications. Read more
ICN Success Stories
National company setting up in Adelaide
Altrad Services Pty Ltd (Altrad) has established a permanent facility in Osborne, Adelaide as a result of winning the contract to provide blast and paint services for the Hunter Class Frigate Program’s prototyping phase. Read more
Australian technology supporting Hunter class frigates
South Australia’s Cohda Wireless was one of 4 Australian companies chosen from an “innovation challenge” to help fast track manufacturing processes to support the Hunter Class Frigate Program (HCFP).
Through Hunter, BAE Systems Australia will build nine of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates for the Royal Australian Navy, known as the ‘Hunter class’. Read more
Success with a conscience
Social conscious is synonymous with success for Queensland metal manufacturing, construction and landscape company, Bridgeman.
An Indigenous owned and operated and Supply Nation certified company, Bridgeman prides itself on its commitment to the community, as well as its highly experienced staff and leading-edge capability. Read more
Events
Connecting Renewable Energy Conference Queensland
The online Connecting Renewable Energy Conference Queensland is designed to assist the resource, construction, engineering, manufacturing, and services sector on the latest project and procurement information delivered via live virtual video streaming allowing you to connect, engage, network and have private face to face meetings with presenting projects and their teams, sponsors, exhibitors, and all attendees. Read more
AMW 2022 – Where technology meets innovation 
Preparations are well underway for the inaugural Australian Manufacturing Week exhibition, taking place in Sydney in June 2022.
Owned and operated by AMTIL, AMW is Australia’s premier manufacturing solutions event. Under the theme ‘Where technology meets innovation’, AMW 2022 will take place at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) in Darling Harbour from 7-10 June 2022. Read more
