Territory on the road to being advanced manufacturing powerhouse

The Territory’s road to becoming an advanced manufacturing powerhouse has a new champion walking it.

THE Territory’s road to becoming an advanced manufacturing powerhouse has a new champion walking it.

Well known Darwin business woman Charmaine Barrett has been appointed the Northern Territory director for the Commonwealth’s ­Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC).

Her appointment is part of a new five-year partnership signed with the NT government with the potential to transform manufacturing in the Territory and create new modern manufacturing opportunities for local businesses.

Ms Barrett brings 15 years of working with local industry at the Industry Capability ­Network (ICN) to the AMGC/NT program, in which she will ­endeavour to fast-track investment and the commercial­isation of advanced manufacturing opportunities across the Territory.

“With ICN, I was working with industry identifying early-stage opportunities to connect local businesses into and over the last few years I have been doing mapping,” she said.

Charmaine Barrett has been appointed to lead business development Pic Julianne Osborne

“So I have a good understanding and snapshot of what capabilities we have out there in our business community and what we are lacking and what we need building on. So I will be putting that knowledge to work in the new role.”

Ms Barrett said she would be working with local industry to get them ready and help them become agile enough to seize the opportunities coming their way in the advanced manufacturing sector.

“We really want to build up our local manufacturing capability here,” Ms Barrett said.

“Advanced manufacturing is across all sectors. It’s not so much what our manufacturers make here – it’s how they make it and it’s about improving those processes.

“Our aim is to deliver critical research, enable pilot ­projects and commercialisation of advanced manufacturing opportunities, including in the critical minerals processing, agribusiness and carbon-based industries.

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“Expanding advanced manufacturing capabilities in the NT will also create new jobs and grow the economy and I will have the support of the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre’s national team. A program such as this is exactly what we require to spur innovation, investment and prosperity for the region.”

The Territory government has invested $8.75m into the partnership with AMGC.

In addition, funding will also be made available to industry stakeholders through a competitive grant program managed by AMGC, which will open up next month. Chief Minister Michael Gunner said Ms Barrett would be an exceptional asset in expanding industry and attracting new investment to the Territory.

“We know the Territory has got a lot to give in the advanced manufacturing space, and this new partnership will help turn local businesses’ dreams into reality,” he said.