Local Indigenous companies in Tweed Heads are starting construction of new facilities which will benefit the Australian Army's A Company, 41st Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment and 225 Army Cadet Unit.
Local business, DDR Pty Ltd, which has 51 per cent Indigenous ownership, recently secured a $12.71 million contract for construction.
Importantly, Jabin Project Management, a wholly Indigenous-owned company, will provide support to DDR Pty Ltd throughout the construction process.
This construction will see the development of a multi-user depot with storage, parking, and associated infrastructure. This will also see minor refurbishment of the Training Ship Vampire, a facility that the Royal Australian Navy Cadets use.
These small but important developments and upgrades to A Company, the 41st Battalion, the Royal New South Wales Regiment and a reserve unit of the Australian Army will go a long way in Lismore, particularly following their significant efforts in Operation Flood Assist and recovery efforts.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Defence, Matt Thistlethwaite:
"It's great to see us reach this important milestone as we break ground for the new multi-user facilities we're building for the Australian Army.
"We continue to evolve the Defence estate to provide modern facilities across Australia for our personnel to work, train and live in.
"I'm proud to see the Government's Indigenous Procurement Policy in action. There are two Indigenous-owned businesses leading the construction work and the project management and contract administration.
"The project is creating local job opportunities in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, aiming for 85 per cent local contractor engagement."
