Northern Territory Report - July 2010

The NT Branch Gala Ball on Friday 18 June, again attracted a record attendance from contractor and associate members and guests and from some of our interstate associates such as the Ferriby Group of companies and The Builders’ Lawyer. Additionally, some companies like Macmahon Contractors had senior management representatives from their national headquarters present.
SkillsDMC, which has worked very collaboratively with me over the last 18 months, also invited its CEO Des Caulfield to the function. This is a recognition of some of the good work accomplished jointly in regard to recognised prior learning programs and the extremely important achievements for 2010 in regard to implementation of certificate IV level training in civil construction supervision and operations in the Northern Territory.
The function was attended by more than 280 people and, by the feedback to date, has been the most well received and appreciated in the branch’s short 5 year’s of committing to the tripartite event; comprising the NT Training and Apprentice Awards, the CCF Earth Awards for Excellence in Civil Construction and the entertainment segment, this year by Dr Elephant – Darwin’s premier showcase band.
Pre-dinner activities were generously sponsored by the NT Government via the Department of Construction and Infrastructure, further developing the cooperative connection between the government, its key agencies and the Territory’s civil construction industry.
The branch’s training and apprenticeship awards had its origins a few years ago with three categories and about as many nominations. This year, our award categories were:

• First year apprentice of the year – sponsored by Top End Training;
• Indigenous trainee of the year – sponsored by the Department of Construction & Infrastructure;
• Mature age achiever award – sponsored by ETAS; and
• Rae SnodgrassApprentice of the Year – sponsored by IS Australia.

We had more than 20 nominations, with the winners within categories coming from Macmahon Contractors, Dept. Construction & Infrastructure, Advance Civil Engineering and Hastings Deering. Highly commended applicants included John Holland’s Cyril Kunoth from Yeundumu in Central Australia.
Congratulations to all trainees who entered this year and their supporting employers. Win lose or draw, this event is recognised as a major organisational annual goal for appreciation of staff and company commitments to ‘growing our own’ skills and to continual learning and development within our industry. Well done all.
Of the five categories available the Territory fielded submissions covering the four categories of Earth Awards from $1m to $75m.
DAC Enterprises was successful in category 1 for its major intersection upgrade in Darwin and Sitzler Pty Ltd won category 3 for its Archer Zone Substation project.
Steelcon Constructions was successful in both categories 2 and 4 with its Little Mindil Development and the very significant engineering challenge of upgrading the Victoria Highway, including the Victoria River Bridge, respectively.
Other submissions competed closely for the judging panel’s attention and included:

• BMD’s Stuart Highway Duplication;
• Sage Contracting’s work at Darwin Intenational Airpor;
• Advance Civil Engineering’s two projects – Wangi Falls camping facilities and Dinah Beach boat ramp and
• John Holland’s challenging Tanami and Plenty Highway upgrading projects in a very wet Central Australian extreme climatic period.

Congratulations to all who made the effort this year. The organisational value and rewards of being part of the Earth Awards process and showcasing Territory Civil construction projects, is most apparent and evidenced by the continuing annual support these awards attract.
Again, win, lose or draw, well done to all participating in the Earth Awards this year and the proud demonstration of projects our sector undertakes for public and private investors in NT infrastructure development.
Appreciation also to our main and supporting sponsors: Hitachi, Refuelling Solutions and OAMPS Insurance.