A Territory enterprise with a presence in Tennant Creek has been awarded a $2.4 million Northern Territory Government contract to fit-out the Barkly Business Hub.
The Australian Government is contributing $2.2 million towards the project, with the Northern Territory Government also providing $200,000 in funding.
Harvey Developments has been announced as the successful proponent. The new Barkly Business Hub will operate in Tennant Creek from the current Northern Territory Government Centre, easily accessible from Peko Road.
The Barkly Business Hub will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ created to facilitate existing and new business ventures and innovation, including supporting local businesses and local skills development.
It will help create jobs, expand industry and elevate the Barkly’s business capabilities. The Hub will enable the co-location of Northern Territory Government and National Indigenous Australians Agency staff to streamline business and workforce support.
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino said the Barkly Business Hub is a key economic initiative under the Barkly Regional Deal.
“It will provide access to tailored business advice and supporting Indigenous organisations and small businesses to take up commercial and economic opportunities in the region,” Assistant Minister Marino said.
“The Australian Government is contributing $2.2 million towards the project, as part of our $45.4 million contribution towards the Regional Deal.
Northern Territory Minister for Treaty and Local Decision Making Selena Uibo said the Barkly Business Hub will be a game-changer for the region.
“It will help businesses innovate, expand and increase productivity for the Barkly, which we know has so much to offer,” Minister Uibo said.
“The Hub will also be critical to progressing other Barkly Regional Deal initiatives such as the Regional Workforce Strategy, Barkly Mining and Energy Service Offer, Economic Growth Strategy and much needed CDP Reform.
“The Territory Government has committed $30 million towards the Barkly Regional Deal and is leading or a partner to 21 key economic, social and cultural initiatives of the deal to improve liveability and productivity for Territorians in the Barkly region.
“I congratulate Harvey Developments on its successful proponent process and look forward to seeing this important project come to life, which will benefit existing and future businesses in the Barkly.”
Barkly Regional Council Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin said it was great news for the Barkly business community.
“It will be a space for collaboration, a space to be utilised as an incubator for innovation, a jump off point for new business, and a hub for business expansion in the Barkly,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“We’ll be more connected and agile and look forward to spreading new ideas and enhancing our economic profile.
“This will make the Barkly a great place to live, work, visit and invest in.”
Construction of the Barkly Business Hub is anticipated to be complete in mid-2022.
The Hub is a key initiative under the 10-year, $78.4 million Barkly Regional Deal, which was signed in 2019 by the Australian and Northern Territory governments and the Barkly Regional Council.
The Deal aims to improve the productivity and liveability of the Barkly region by stimulating economic growth, improving social outcomes and supporting local Aboriginal leadership.
