North Queensland Bulk Ports wins reconciliation award

CEO Nicolas Fertin said it was an honour for NQBP to receive statewide recognition alongside joint winners, Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation has become the first Queensland port authority to be recognised as winners in the business category of the Queensland Reconciliation Awards.

At the recent award ceremony in Townsville, the authority for the North Queensland ports of Abbot Point, Hay Point, Mackay and Weipa received recognition for its commitment to meaningful action on reconciliation.

CEO Nicolas Fertin said it was an honour for NQBP’s 2020-2022 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, or RAP, to receive such recognition alongside joint winners, Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union.

“The National Reconciliation Week theme this year - ‘More than a word’ - urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action,” Mr Fertin said.

“This is what we endeavour to do with our RAP, and we’re proud to be making good progress thanks to the support of Traditional Owners in our port communities.”

In just one year, NQBP has more than doubled its 19/20 procurement spend with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, with $1.4 million going to local content.

Juru Enterprises CEO Ricky Dallachy joined NQBP’s Acting General Manager Safety, Environment and Communications Ian McGoldrick and NQBP Director Tony Mooney at the ceremony to collect the award.

Mr Dallachy said the partnership with NQBP had built a strong working relationship, benefitting business capability and sustainable performance for Juru.

“We’re realising great outcomes together, supporting employment in Bowen and providing training and raising more awareness of cultural heritage and protection of country at Abbot Point through land and sea management,” Mr Dallachy said.

Mr Fertin gave special recognition to the Native Title Holders and Traditional Owners of the land and seas within NQBP’s four port communities; Juru People (Port of Abbot Point), Yuwi People (Port of Mackay and Port of Hay Point); the Wik Waya People south of the Port of Weipa and the Alngith, Thanikwithi and Peppan peoples to the east and north of Weipa.

“The key driver for a RAP was to formalise NQBP’s engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into positive and measurable actions, building higher levels of trust, and increased pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures,” Mr Fertin said.