Top End company wins $8.8m Galiwinku civil works construction contract

A Top End civil works company has landed a major contract at a remote community. See what’s planned.

A Top End Indigenous-owned enterprise has been awarded an $8.8m civil works contract to construct a new 27-lot residential subdivision in Galiwinku.

Larrakia owned company AKJ Services, which is growing its profile through reliable contract delivery, was awarded the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics contract in December 2022.

Barges transporting AKJ’s gear to Galiwinku, the largest community on Elcho Island, left Darwin last week and arrived on Monday while work crews have also arrived onsite.

AKJ Services founder and owner Jessie Risk, welcomed the opportunity to work in a community where the Arnhem Land Progress Association, another Indigenous-owned enterprise, has a strong presence.

The barge bound for Galiwinku loaded with AKJ Services equipment.

A family company, AKJ Services formed in 2018 with Jessie, her partner Antal Reti and her father Keith Risk.

The business has since expanded to 50 employees and predominantly contracts on Larrakia Country in Darwin, making the move to remote work that much more significant.

“We’re really pleased to have secured our first remote community contract and to be interacting with another Indigenous-owned enterprise in the region is something we’re all looking forward to,” Ms Risk said.

It took about a year after forming in 2018 for the company to obtain regular work, initially in project management, until it secured a defence civil works contract for a roads project at Robertson Barracks.

“We finished six weeks ahead of the program, and we delivered a quality project on time, on budget, and most importantly, with zero incidents,” she said.

“One job done right can make all the difference.

“At that time we had four employees and from there we were able to begin growing our business and our network of subcontractors.

Galiwinku housing estate by air May 2023

“Since then we’ve been working in the defence space, winning multiple projects, delivering civil construction as well as building refurbs.

“This has allowed AKJ to grow our business capability and personnel.”

Jessie’s partner Antal completed a civil engineering degree at Charles Darwin University and Jessie became a teacher at Dripstone before taking a career detour and doubling her pay on the Inpex project.

“Antal loved the subdivision and civil contracting space and we wanted to do something together within the family to get them involved in the civil game as well,” she said.

“Working at Inpex allowed us to save the money to make a start with AKJ Services and we’ve learnt the industry very quickly.”

AKJ Services’ subdivision works contract involves earthworks, sewer, water, stormwater, concrete works, electrical reticulation and building pads.

This will provide additional serviced housing lots within the Galiwinku community.

AKJ Services owners Jessie Risk and Antal Reti step out.

The housing lots will enable further housing to be constructed by Bukmak Constructions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation, under part of a $51.5m NT government housing contract awarded to build 87 homes and extend dozens of existing homes in Galiwinku.

The works are part of the NT government’s ‘Our Community. Our Future. Our Homes’ program. Bukmak Constructions currently has 28 dwellings in progress.

AKJ Services aims to maximise Aboriginal participation and has currently provided employment opportunities to three ex-Clontarf Academy students and their will be an emphasis on the transfer of skills at Galiwinku.

“Our mission is to provide as many training and employment opportunities as possible to our people across Darwin and remote communities," Ms Risk said.

“We can also provide culturally safe mentoring with our experienced operators and staff.

“This is our first remote contract and I see it as a beginning for great synergies between two Aboriginal companies to deliver impact for the community.

“We can show people how great partnerships can lead to great outcomes.”