Defence continuing commitment to hire more locals on Tindal contracts, with a 70 per cent NT workforce planned for latest projects
DEFENCE employed 25 subcontractors based in the Katherine area in 2020 to complete works at RAAF Base Tindal, and intends to hire at least 70 per cent of Territory-sourced businesses for its billions of dollars worth of projects.
Northern Territory
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DEFENCE employed 25 subcontractors based in the Katherine area in 2020 to complete works at RAAF Base Tindal, and intends to hire at least 70 per cent of Territory-sourced businesses for its billions of dollars worth of projects.
Defence is currently undertaking two major projects at Tindal – the base redevelopment project and the United States Force Posture Initiative Airfield Works, totalling $1.6bn.
The combined contractor workforce for these projects is currently about 80 and is expected to peak at about 330 in 2023/24.
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A Defence spokeswoman said the average workforce over the life of the seven years of construction would be about 220, with the contracted workforce accommodated in a camp near the base.
“The capacity of the camp is currently 150,” she said. “This will be increased to 250 by mid-2022.
“Depending on the type of subcontract let, individual members of the workforce will be on site anywhere from four weeks to up to three years.”
Lendlease, which is managing both projects, is aiming to hire a minimum of 70 per cent local Territory-sourced businesses on the projects.
“There are currently 43 Estate Works Program projects underway at RAAF Base Tindal, with 19 in delivery, 14 currently within the ‘approach to market’ phase, and 10 are in earlier phases of development,” the spokeswoman said.
“Defence is expected to spend around $54 million on those 19 projects currently in delivery.”
She said in 2020, 25 subcontractors based in the Katherine area were employed for $9.1m worth of works.
These projects are one of the major catalysts for a boost in Katherine’s real estate market.
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Real Estate Institute of the NT chief executive Quentin Kilian said there would be flow-on effects from these projects if it resulted in more personnel based at Tindal.
“The key to these projects is they are going to deliver an increase in population,” he said.
“If that’s the case it delivers longer-term impacts on the market.”
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