eNews: 21 April 2009 - Issue 3
Maximum benefit for NT business: Industry Reference Group meeting regularly
The Industry Reference Group (IRG) has been established to ensure Territory businesses get the maximum benefit from the economic stimulus package. The group includes representatives from Association of Consulting Architects Australia, Building Certifiers, Civil Contractors, Engineers, Housing Industry Australia, Quantity Surveyors, Territory Construction Association and Town Planners. For a list of members click here.
The IRG will:
- Identify opportunities to improve the timeliness and efficiency of government processes that relate to the delivery of the package
- Provide advice on industry capacity to implement the package, including advice on how elements of the package can be designed to match industry capacity
- Contribute to or advise on agreed projects that support the implementation of package
- Assist in communications between government and industry to support the timely implementation of the package.
The IRG will meet again on Wednesday May 6.
School Infrastructure and Maintenance
National School Pride Program
A total of 98 Territory schools have received funding for projects during Round 1 of the National School Pride Program. The full list of the successful schools is available online.
Many school councils have indicated that they would like to manage these projects, which include maintenance and minor new work items. School councils who have a willingness and the capacity to manage their projects will need to ensure that all procurement principles are met, including a requirement that all businesses utilised are registered with the Northern Territory Industry Capability Network (NTICN) and, where appropriate, Contractor Accreditation Limited (CAL).
It is government policy that businesses used under this program are NTICN approved, to ensure that schools are accessing local services. A schedule of documents to support schools and industry in the process is available online.
Round 2 of the National Schools Pride category is open and schools yet to submit an application are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, and by no later than 30 April 2009.
Primary Schools for the 21st Century
All Territory Government primary and special schools have submitted an expression of interest for one or more categories under Primary Schools for the 21st Century, to build or upgrade large-scale infrastructure.
The Department of Education and Training (DET) is currently collating and assessing school responses and will be assisted by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) and local industry to match schools with design teams and design templates.
Project categories include a new library, covered outdoor learning areas or multi-purpose hall, new classrooms, and replacement of demountables or other significant upgrades that meet the guidelines. All major capital projects will be procured through DPI.
Science and Language Centres for the 21st Century Secondary Schools
A bidding process has started for science or language centres in secondary schools. Territory schools may enter a competitive bid process with a business case in order to be considered.
The Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations selection criteria is based on disadvantage and need. The competitive bid process for this program will result in approximately 500 schools Australia-wide expected to receive funding for a Science or Language Centre.
Repairing Regional Roads
The Northern Territory will receive $12 million for expenditure by 30 June 2009 for additional maintenance projects on the National Highway network comprising the Stuart, Victoria and Barkly Highways.
The works are targeted to address the backlog of specific maintenance with a focus on asset preservation, ride-ability and safety.
It is proposed to undertake the works as follows:
- New regional based bituminous surfacing (resealing) contracts for Darwin/Katherine and Tennant Creek
- New Territory-wide slurry sealing contract to carry out works in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs
- A number of regional contracts for shoulder reconstruction and drainage works
Local Government
The Australian Government has allocated $800 million to the Community Infrastructure Program to fund local government to build and renew local infrastructure, such as community centres, town halls, parks and playgrounds, and pool and sports facilities.
The Australian Government has signed off on $482,000 for ready-to-go local infrastructure projects in the Northern Territory including:
- $230,000 for public and CCTV lighting in Alice Springs
- $100,000 for a variety of projects in Coomalie Shire Council, including the upgrading of sporting facilities, installation of black water disposal points, and the upgrading of waste disposal facilities and signage
- $152,000 for projects in Litchfield Council, including upgrading of facilities at Berry Springs Reserve, Humpty Doo Village Green and McMinns Lagoon Reserve.
These projects form part of the $250 million allocated directly to local councils and shires under the regional and local community infrastructure program. For more detailed information go to: www.housing.nt.gov.au
A further $550 million dollars is available on a competitive basis for larger projects that are ready to go. More than 3,600 projects nationwide have been submitted under the first round of the Community Infrastructure Program.
Energy Efficiency
Rebates for solar hot water systems and insulation are available through the energy efficient homes component of the economic stimulus plan.
Following the invitation in the last stimulus newsletter, the Northern Territory Government held consultations with the solar hot water industry and insulation industry. The purpose of the consultations was to seek feedback on the Australian Government’s guidelines for rebates and the practicalities of implementing the guidelines for these rebates in the Northern Territory.
The NT solar hot water industry was generally satisfied with the implementation guidelines.
However, the NT insulation industry has raised a number of issues which will be raised with the Australian Government, including:
- Training and authorisation for installers
- The requirement for two quotes up until 1 July 2009
- How the Australian Government will allocate jobs after 1 July 2009
- The adequacy of the $1600 rebate for non-urban areas of the NT
- Managing demand and delivery for installers who service remote areas centres
- The knowledge required by the Australian Government hotline customer service operators who give assistance to callers
- R-Value requirements for the NT and consistency of information on the Australian Government’s website
The Northern Territory Government, in co-ordination with the insulation industry and the Australian Government, expects a resolution on these matters by 1 July 2009, when the final guidelines will be finalised.
Any questions relating to these or other concerns can be directed to Rachael Shanahan, Acting Director, Climate Change Policy and Co-ordination Unit, Department of the Chief Minister, on: rachael.shanahan@nt.gov.au.
Fair go for Territory businesses: procurement changes to take effect 30 March
Comprehensive changes to the Northern Territory Government’s procurement processes will ensure the Territory takes full advantage of the Australian Government’s $42 billion stimulus package.
Procurement thresholds will be lifted across the entire process:
- Tier One – one quote for contracts up to $15,000.
- Tier Two – minimum three quotes for contracts up to $50,000.
- Tier Three – Public Quotations with CAL accreditation where applicable over $50,000.*
- Tier Four - Full public tender, Assessment Criteria weightings made public, for $200,000 to $5 million.
- Tier Five – Same as Tier 4, requiring Industry participation plan, for over $5 million.
To make sure all Territory businesses get a fair go under these changes the NT Government will:
- Mandate the use of the Agency Procurement Requisition Online System for all procurements above $15,000.
- Reduce the threshold for public disclosure of assessment criteria weightings from $1 million to $200,000.
- Retain CAL and NTICN measures.
- Out-post senior procurement officers in Government agencies to improve professionalism across Government.
Thank you to businesses and industry associations who provided feedback on the changes to thresholds and the procurement process.
* This information has been updated.
School Infrastructure and Maintenance
National School Pride Program
Ninety Territory schools have applied for project funding under the National School Pride program, with approval expected to be finalised by the Australian Government by 7 April 2009.
Many School Councils have indicated that they would like to manage these projects, which include maintenance and minor new work items. School Councils who have a willingness and the capacity to manage their projects will need to ensure that all procurement principles are met, including a requirement that all businesses utilised are registered with Northern Territory Industry Capability Network (NTICN) and, where appropriate, Contractor Accreditation Limited (CAL).
It is government policy that businesses used under this program are NTICN approved, to ensure that schools are accessing local services. The remainder of Territory Government schools have until 30 April 2009 to apply for funding for Round 2 of the National School Pride program.
Primary Schools for the 21st Century
Territory Government schools were invited to submit an expression of interest for one or more categories under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century element, to build or upgrade large scale infrastructure in all primary schools, special schools, and primary to year 12s.
The Department of Education and Training NT will be collating and assessing school responses from 15 March 2009 and will be assisted by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) and local industry to match schools with design teams and design templates.
The first 20 per cent of ready to proceed projects will be submitted to the Australian Government for approval in April 2009 followed by 40 per cent in May 2009 and the remainder of all schools by July 2009.
Project categories include a new library, covered outdoor learning areas or multi purpose hall, new classrooms, replacement of demountables or other significant upgrades that meet the guidelines. All major capital projects will be procured through DPI.
Science and Language Centres for the 21st Century Secondary Schools
A bidding process has started for science or language centres in secondary schools. Under the Science and Language Centres for the 21st Century Secondary Schools program, Territory schools may enter a competitive bid process with a business case in order to be considered.
Repairing Regional Roads
The Northern Territory will receive $12 million for expenditure by 30 June 2009 for additional maintenance projects on the National Highway network comprising the Stuart, Victoria and Barkly Highways.
The works are targeted to address the backlog of specific maintenance with a focus on asset preservation, ride ability and safety.
It is proposed to undertake the works as follows:
- New regional based bituminous surfacing (resealing) contracts for Darwin/Katherine and Tennant Creek.
- New Territory-wide slurry sealing contract to carry out works in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
- A number of regional contracts for shoulder reconstruction and drainage works.
Procurement is well underway. The current status of projects and tenders can be found at www.operationstimulus.nt.gov.au/projects.shtml.
Social Housing
Territory businesses will have the opportunity to get involved in the upgrade of 136 public housing properties with the tender process opening for work in Darwin and Alice Springs.
The allocation of more than $4 million to improve public housing in the Territory is part of round one of the Australian Government’s Social Housing package.
Funding has been approved to install solar hot water units and replace or repair rooves at 43 properties in Alice Springs and Darwin. Another 46 rooves will be replaced in Darwin.
The upgrade project tenders in the Darwin Region have been released and two Alice Springs tenders will be released next week.
Project and tenders can be viewed on the Operation Stimulus website. Click here to view.
Tenders and projects close on 25 March.
Energy Efficiency – solar hot water systems and insulation
Rebates for solar hot water systems and insulation are available through the energy efficient homes component of the Economic Stimulus Package.
The Northern Territory Government welcomes feedback from the solar hot water and the insulation industries on the Australian Government’s guidelines for SHWS and insulation rebates and the practicalities of implementing the guidelines in the Territory. Roundtable discussions are being planned for Friday 27 March 2009 in Darwin and the results of our consultations with NT industry will be fed back to the Australian Government.
If you would like to be part of these discussions, please contact Rachael Shanahan, Acting Director of the Climate Change Policy and Co-ordination Unit, Department of the Chief Minister, on: rachael.shanahan@nt.gov.au.
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