The University of Tasmania is looking for local Indigenous and Tasmanian Aboriginal enterprises to be listed on a new state-based register to access business opportunities, as part of its Northern Transformation Project (NTP).
The NTP is a $300 million project that will see new campuses built at West Park in Burnie and Inveresk in Launceston in a partnership between the University and local, State and Australian governments.
Under the Launceston City Deal the NTP contract was the first Tasmanian infrastructure project to have included Indigenous employment measures in its Australian Government funding deed.
Significant work is now being done to identify Indigenous-owned enterprises and promote the opportunities that are available to them which range from construction to a broad array of supplies and services.
The project presents an opportunity for the University to support Aboriginal economic participation and development by contributing to growth in demand for Indigenous businesses, products, and services in Tasmania.
University of Tasmania Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Dominic Geraghty said the business register was a chance to further identify and promote Aboriginal enterprises and expertise in Tasmania and to deliver on the NTP being a truly equitable and accessible project for all the community.
"The campus relocation poses an important opportunity to economically benefit the Tasmanian community through the construction phase," Professor Geraghty said.
"As part of our commitment to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community we are aiming to achieve a 3% employment and procurement target and encourage locally owned Aboriginal businesses to get in contact to begin this conversation."
With the guidance and support of the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the supplier list of Indigenous and Tasmanian Aboriginal owned businesses and enterprises that is generated from the project will be shared within the University, with principal contractors and support agencies such as Supply Nation and Indigenous Business Australia.
"The University is pleased to be working closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency to ensure maximum benefit to the Aboriginal community is achieved," Professor Geraghty said.
The University's Pro Vice-Chancellor (Aboriginal Leadership) Greg Lehman said the register and promotion of Tasmanian Aboriginal enterprises was part of an important, broader commitment.
"This aligns with our strategic commitment to directly engage with Aboriginal communities, their skills and resources as a foundational part of the development of the University in regional Tasmania, where the need for economic growth and inclusion is greatest," he said.
