Industry News

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ngaree Ah Kit is set to lead a delegation to Indonesia and Timor-Leste to attract new investment into development opportunities in the Northern Territory and new international students.

Indonesia is the Territory’s sixth largest trading partner, with the trade delegation set to visit Lombok and Jakarta to build on existing close economic and strategic partnerships following on from the recent MoU signing for economic development with West Nusa Tenggara Government.

While in Indonesia, Minister Ah Kit will present at the Indonesia Australia Business Council Conference as an opportunity to promote the significant investment opportunities available in the Northern Territory, particularly in the critical minerals sector.

The delegation will engage in discussions to advance a collaborative approach to ensuring the ongoing viability of its live cattle trade, including agricultural research and development opportunities.

Another key feature of the program will be an International Education showcase of Territory education and training providers for agents in Indonesia keen to identify placements for students into the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory also enjoys a strong relationship with Timor-Leste and part of the delegation will travel to Dili to continue Government’s engagement on the advancement of key actions under its Strategic Partnership Agreement with Timor-Leste finalised earlier this year.

While in Dili, the Minister will meet the Vice-Prime Minister, other Government officials and various organisations to discuss the countries’ mutual interests and opportunities.

This includes bilateral activities in the health, education and workforce development sectors.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ngaree Ah Kit:

 “The Northern Territory has the potential to be a major player in the global supply chain of the critical minerals required for new and renewable energy technologies and we need to continually tell that story to our trading partners.

“This South East Asian visit is also a major opportunity to advance our renowned agricultural and international education export offerings, while building on the strong partnerships we have in training and workforce development.

“Representing the Northern Territory Government on this delegation brings with it the significant opportunity to attract more investment into the Northern Territory by building stronger relationships with our near neighbours and trading partners, and highlighting why the Northern Territory is the best investment decision.”

Costings:

Total trip cost for Minister Ah Kit and two ministerial staff: $19,810

Source: NT Government Newsroom

Our roads are the lifeline of the Territory, connecting our communities and unlocking new industries and job opportunities for Territorians. 

In partnership with the Commonwealth, the Territory Labor Government is investing $150 million into the Carpentaria Highway to upgrade the road across a program of works. 

The Carpentaria Highway is a key access road for people travelling to Borroloola and for a number of industries including our growing energy sector. The upgrades from single lane to dual lane bitumen supports existing road users, industry and communities by providing more reliable transport and freight links.

Stage one has now been completed, marking an important milestone for the project with 48km of the highway now upgraded and sealed.

These works which include 24 culverts and two truck stops  greatly improve road safety, reduced travel times, reduce vehicle operating costs and bolster flood immunity to increase year round access.

Territory company Exact Contracting are undertaking the program of works with construction for stage two now underway, which will deliver further upgrades and sealed bitumen along to road to Borroloola.   

The Carpentaria project has created over 200 jobs and up to 80 employees can be found on site at any one time. 

Quote attributable to Minister for Territory Development, Eva Lawler: 

“The Northern Territory is entering an era of thriving development and innovation as we power towards a $40 billion economy by 2030.

“The upgrades to the Carpentaria Highway will complement multiple strategic projects currently underway that aim to bring the Territory’s vision of becoming a world-class energy production, manufacturing and services hub to reality.

“Upgrading the Carpentaria Highway involves a range of works including reconstructing, widening, elevating and sealing the road, meaning this important route will have year round access, improving economic opportunities and access to essential services.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Joel Bowden: 

“We know how important roads are in the Territory, which is why we are investing $150 million into The Carpentaria Highway as a key access route to Borroloola and surrounding regions.

“Investing in roads is essential to improve year round connectivity, create jobs and boost economic development, key points our government is focused on delivering.

“Exact Contracting are a Territory company who build great roads, making driving along highway’s like the Carpentaria a smoother and safer journey for Territorians and visitors.”

Source: NT Government Newsroom

The Commission has approved Power and Water Corporation’s (PWC’s) proposed 2024-25 system control and market operator charges to be applied from 1 July 2024.

On 29 September 2023, PWC submitted to the Commission its 2024-25 Annual Pricing Proposal for System Control and Market Operator charges, which provides for interim charges for one year from 1 July 2024. The Commission assessed the proposal and confirmed it meets the Commission’s requirements for simplicity, escalating approved charges for 2023-24 to account for inflation. As such, the Commission approved PWC’s 2024-25 Annual Pricing Proposal for System Control and Market Operator charges.

The charges approved for 2024-25 are the maximum that PWC can charge for services provided by the power system controller with respect to its regulated electricity networks.

More information regarding the regulation of system control charges and other electricity charges can be found on the electricity price regulation page.

Source: Utilities Commission of the Northern Territory

Santos notes the Federal Court of Australia has today granted an interim injunction to prevent Santos from commencing to lay the Barossa Gas Export Pipeline (GEP) until 13 November 2023.

This decision is in connection with an application by Mr Simon Munkara seeking an order that Santos revise and resubmit the Environment Plan (EP) that was accepted by the regulator, NOPSEMA, in March 2020.

Mr Munkara alleges laying the GEP will impact submerged Tiwi cultural heritage, creating a new environmental risk.

Santos has complied with a General Direction issued by the regulator NOPSEMA in January 2023 in relation to impacts on underwater cultural heritage places to which Indigenous people have spiritual and cultural connections.

An independent expert anthropologist concluded there were no such underwater cultural heritage places, following interviews with around 170 Tiwi people and extensive archaeological and anthropological literature and studies. These studies included consideration of independent expert archaeological, geological and sedimentological assessment of the pipeline route.

Santos updated the EP to reflect the recommendations of the independent expert anthropologist, through its approved Management of Change process which is part of the GEP EP.

The Court will sit again on 13 November 2023 to determine whether to extend the injunction until that final hearing, which will be held on an expedited basis.

As announced to the ASX earlier this week, Santos respects the cultural heritage of the Tiwi people and while we appreciate there are a range of views, Santos has complied in full with the requirements of the General Direction as stipulated by the regulator, NOPSEMA. The regulator has monitored this compliance throughout.

The pipelay vessel will hold in Darwin and no pipelay activity linked to the GEP will be undertaken during the interim injunction.

Guidance on Barossa cost and schedule remains unchanged. Santos will assess any impact on the schedule and cost of the Barossa Gas Project if the injunction is extended beyond 13 November 2023 and will update the market accordingly.

Santos will continue to defend the proceedings at the next court date.

To view the full media release, click here.

Source: Santos

The Albanese Government is working to address acute skills shortages in the Northern Territory, today announcing an extension to the existing migration agreement with the NT Government, benefitting over 280 employers across the Territory.

The one year extension to the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) will cover up to 625 temporary skilled visas for new workers, delivering higher wages for new workers and more expansive pathways for permanent residency for existing workers, ensuring all levels of government are working together to get skilled workers into areas that need them most.   

This agreement will see deliver more care workers, nurses, dental assistants, cooks and chefs for local NT communities, and ensure Territory employers are able to hire and retain workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers, benefitting the Territory economy.  

The Albanese Government will increase the types of jobs offered under the agreement and streamline a number of requirements to make it easier for employers to use, while expanding pathways to permanent residency for workers and their families.  

The agreement will now also include much-needed occupations like primary and secondary school teachers, and software engineers, relaxing eligibility restrictions to appropriately address workforce shortages.   

The Albanese and Fyles Governments understand the importance of ensuring migrant workers are safe at work, and are afforded proper pay and conditions.

The Albanese Government is also removing the former Liberal Government’s non-monetary compensation meaning workers will have more pay in their pockets.

In order to meet salary thresholds from 2024 onward, minimum wages under the agreement’s extension will also rise from around $48,000 to $55,000.

Both governments look forward to working in a tripartite manner with business and unions as the third NT DAMA is negotiated in 2024, to begin in 2025.   

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MINISTER FOR RESOURCES AND MINISTER FOR NORTHERN AUSTRALIA, MADELEINE KING:

“The Northern Territory is a place of enormous opportunity but it also faces challenges. Attracting and retaining skilled workers can be difficult.

“This Government is acting to ensure the Northern Territory has the workers and services it needs to keep its economy strong.

“This extension of the Designated Area Migration Agreement is another example of how the Albanese Government is working with the Northern Territory Government to ensure the Top End continues to power ahead.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS, ANDREW GILES:  

“The Albanese Labor Government inherited a system with backlog after backlog, delays and waitlists.    

“We haven’t wasted a day in cleaning up immigration the mess left by the Liberals over a decade of neglect, including under former Minister Dutton.    

“Peter Dutton himself oversaw a complicated, slow and unplanned mess when it came to people coming into this country.    

“The Albanese Government is bringing governments, businesses and unions together to build a migration system that works in the interests of all Territorians.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHIEF MINISTER NATASHA FYLES: 

“The Northern Territory is bursting with opportunity. The economy is going in the right direction, we just need to make sure we have the working population to make sure we stay competitive.

“This agreement will be used by over 280 employers here in the Territory – covering up to 625 temporary skilled workers.

“This is why my Government will continue to work with the Federal Government to make sure we get more skilled workers to the Territory. We want to help more businesses find staff to make sure business keeps moving. This is not about just encouraging people to move to the Territory for the short term, we want to incentivise them to stay.”

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINISTER FOR JOBS AND TRAINING, JOEL BOWDEN:

“The Territory Labor Government is working on making the Territory an ideal and attractive destination for overseas skilled workers.

“This one year extension will make sure we continue to have a rolling number of skilled workers in the Territory.

“We will continue to work with the Federal Government and local businesses to address ongoing worker shortages, grow our population through international migration, while delivering a skilled and diverse workforce.

Source: Northern Territory Government Newsroom

A new solar cell technology being supported by the Australian Government could help rapidly scale up low-cost solar.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $11m in funding to Australian solar technology company SunDrive solar.

SunDrive has developed a solar cell metallisation technology that uses copper instead of silver in its manufacture. Copper is approximately 100x cheaper and 1000x more abundant than silver.

Australia has the highest uptake of solar in the world. But over the last ten years, only 1% of installed solar cells have been made in Australia.

Through this project, SunDrive will scale up its advanced production line. This will allow it to make enough copper metallised PV cells for around 15,000 household solar systems each year. SunDrive is aiming to employ more than 500 people as production increases in Australia.

The technology has environmental benefits too. Copper is easier to recycle and is less carbon intensive than silver in the manufacturing process.

Read more:

Scaling up SunDrive’s advanced solar PV manufacturing - Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

Source: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Highlights

Tivan signs Letter of Intent with Larrakia Energy for the supply of up to 30 MW of renewable energy from 2026 at the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct.

Tivan announces plans to develop a Vanadium Electrolyte Facility at MASDP to facilitate a renewable value chain for long duration energy storage across northern Australia.

Larrakia Development Corporation is an Aboriginal organisation representing the Larrakia people, the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters in and surrounding Darwin.

Larrakia Energy, majority owned by Larrakia Development Corporation, is planning the development of a 300 MW solar farm to provide renewable energy to MASDP in joint venture with Australian and international partners.

Tivan’s proposed VE Facility is based on planned production of high-purity vanadium at the Speewah Project in Western Australia, and is the largest planned facility outside of China.

Tivan’s mission is to contribute to the global energy transition via large-scale, full-cycle deployment of Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

Agreement between Larrakia and Tivan based on a shared vision of harnessing the power of renewables to lessen impacts on country and to create sustainable economic opportunities

To view full ASX announcement, click here.

Source: Tivan 

The Territory Labor Government’s vision for Middle Arm as a vibrant hub of cleaner energy, investments, and job creation is one step closer.

Tivan Limited and Larrakia Energy have entered an agreement to supply up to 30 MW of renewable energy from 2026 to support Tivan’s planned Vanadium Electrolyte Facility, the largest of its kind in Australia.

The partnership between Tivan Limited and Larrakia Energy is a major step towards the Northern Territory's goal of becoming a leader in low-emissions energy and critical minerals processing.

The Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct is poised to become a catalyst for clean energy innovation and economic growth, with these initiatives representing a major leap towards a more sustainable future.

Tivan's planned large-scale Vanadium Electrolyte Facility at Middle Arm aligns with the vision of creating a renewable value chain for long-duration energy storage in Northern Australia.

Larrakia Development Corporation, an Aboriginal organisation representing the Larrakia people, and Larrakia Energy, majority-owned by Larrakia Development Corporation, are pivotal partners in advancing sustainable development in the region.

Larrakia Energy's joint venture, along with Australian and international partners, for a 300 MW solar farm near Middle Arm demonstrates their dedication to providing renewable energy to the precinct.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry, Nicole Manison:

“The Northern Territory Government congratulates Tivan Limited and Larrakia Energy for their commitment to building a cleaner, more prosperous, and sustainable future at Middle Arm.

“We look forward to the positive impact of this collaboration, as it drives economic growth, job opportunities, and sustainable energy solutions.

“This puts Darwin on the map when it comes to the critical minerals and renewable technologies needed for the energy transition.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Territory Development, Eva Lawler:

“We welcome this partnership between Tivan Limited and Larrakia Energy as it solidifies the renewable energy value chain in the Northern Territory.

“This creates jobs for Territorians, in an inclusive way, that will see benefits across the entire Territory.

“The Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct will be a global leader in the energy transition and is strategically important not just to Australia but our whole region.”

Source: NT Government newsroom

Santos respects the cultural heritage of the Tiwi people and while we understand and respect there are a range of views about the Barossa gas project, we will vigorously defend Federal Court proceedings commenced by the Environmental Defenders Office on behalf of Mr Simon Munkara.

The Environment Plan (EP) for the gas export pipeline installation was accepted by the regulator NOPSEMA in March 2020.  Santos has, at all times, complied with the applicable regulations and requirements stipulated by NOPSEMA, and the regulator has monitored that compliance.

Santos rejects the allegations in the application that there are significant environmental impacts or risks in relation to submerged Tiwi cultural heritage.

Provided the GEP pipelay is completed in 2023, and drilling activities commence before the end of the year, guidance to the market on Barossa cost and schedule remains unchanged.

In the event any injunction is granted, Santos will need to assess any impact on the schedule and cost of the Barossa Gas Project and will update the market accordingly.

Background

The Barossa GEP will run from the Barossa gas field 262 km offshore along a narrow underwater corridor. The pipe has a maximum diameter of 86 cm and will lay directly on top of the seafloor in water depths ranging from 33 to 254 metres. There will be no excavation of the seabed. At its closest point to land, the pipeline will be more than seven kilometres offshore from Bathurst Island in Commonwealth waters where the water depth will be around 70 metres.

In fully meeting its obligations, and as required by the General Direction issued by NOPSEMA on 13 January 2023, Santos engaged an independent expert to undertake and complete an assessment to identify any underwater cultural heritage places along the Barossa pipeline route to which people, in accordance with Indigenous tradition, may have spiritual and cultural connections that may be affected by the activities covered by the Barossa GEP EP. The independent expert was accepted as a suitably qualified independent expert by the regulator NOPSEMA, and was informed by Tiwi people and international experts in underwater cultural heritage, Wessex Archaeology, and in the geology and sedimentology of the Arafura Sea, Dr Posamentier.

The independent expert obtained information from about 170 Tiwi Island people with cultural connections to the sea country where the GEP is located and considered extensive, relevant archaeological and anthropological literature and studies.

The independent expert concluded there are no specific underwater cultural heritage places along the Barossa GEP route to which people in accordance with Indigenous tradition, may have spiritual and cultural connections that may be affected by the future activities covered by the EP.

There is no significant new environmental impact or risk that is not already provided for in the approved environment plan for pipeline installation. Santos has complied with the General Direction and the GEP EP is valid.

Santos will continue to engage with communities, land councils and First Nations people as we conduct our activities in accordance with the Environment Plans accepted by the regulator NOPSEMA.

To view full media release, click here.

Source: Santos

• Tivan signs Letter of Intent with Larrakia Energy for the supply of up to 30 MW of renewable energy from 2026 at the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct.

• Tivan announces plans to develop a Vanadium Electrolyte Facility at MASDP to facilitate a renewable value chain for long duration energy storage across northern Australia. 

• Larrakia Development Corporation is an Aboriginal organisation representing the Larrakia people, the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters in and surrounding Darwin. 

• Larrakia Energy, majority owned by Larrakia Development Corporation, is planning the development of a 300 MW solar farm to provide renewable energy to MASDP in joint venture with Australian and international partners. 

• Tivan’s proposed VE Facility is based on planned production of high-purity vanadium at the Speewah Project in Western Australia, and is the largest planned facility outside of China. 

• Tivan’s mission is to contribute to the global energy transition via large-scale, full-cycle deployment of Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries. 

• Agreement between Larrakia and Tivan based on a shared vision of harnessing the power of renewables to lessen impacts on country and to create sustainable economic opportunities. 

The Board of Tivan Limited (ASX: TVN) (“Tivan” or the “Company”) is pleased to advise that it has signed a nonbinding letter of intent (“Letter of Intent”) with Larrakia Energy for the supply of renewable energy to support a Vanadium Electrolyte Facility (“VE Facility”) at the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct (“MASDP”) in Darwin.

To view the full ASX announcement, click here

Source: Tivan Limited