As a result of the Australian Government’s Nation Building, Economic Stimulus Plan two important projects are underway throughout the State of New South Wales.

Opportunities exist for local subcontractors and service providers of all disciplines to the building industry along with opportunities for suppliers of locally manufactured building products. The Industry Capability Network (NSW) Ltd welcomes registrations of interest against both these projects from suitably qualified companies who wish to participate.

The projects are:

Building the Education Revolution

And

Housing NSW

Building the Education Revolution – The (BER) is a $14.7 billion national investment from the Commonwealth to improve the quality of facilities in Australian schools. The Commonwealth aims to build learning environments to help children, families and communities participate in activities that will support achievement, develop learning potential and bring communities together. It is a very welcome addition to the funding already provided by the NSW Government towards building and maintaining the State’s schools.

Housing NSW - The Australian Government is investing $2 billion as part of its Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan to deliver around  6,500 social housing homes in NSW by June 2012. On top of this, the NSW Government is investing $1 billion to deliver an additional 3,000 homes.

As a direct response to these two significant projects, the Industry Capability Network (NSW) Ltd has sought to be engaged by both the NSW Department of Education and Housing NSW to assist Australian Industry identify and access the significant opportunities within. ICN’s aim is to identify suitably qualified capacity in NSW and to ensure all companies are given full, fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in the NSW BER and Housing projects.

Opportunities exist for local subcontractors and service providers of all disciplines to the building industry along with opportunities for suppliers of locally manufactured building products. The Industry Capability Network (NSW) Ltd welcomes registrations of interest against both these projects from suitably qualified companies who wish to participate.

Two separate registration portals exist, we welcome your registration on both sites. If you have already registered with another entity on this program you are still welcome to register with ICN as future opportunities beyond these projects may be available to your company.

www.housingnsw.icn.org.au

and

www.nswber.icn.org.au

Given the enormity of these projects and the volume of enquiries we are receiving, it may not be possible for all registrants to receive individual attention from ICN staff. Our goal is to provide all companies who register on these portals directly to each of the relevant project representatives. In addition as response to specific project related enquiry ICN has begun to provide lists of companies providing goods and services local to these projects. Where an opportunity is identified ICN will consult with those companies who are suitably qualified to participate and ensure they are given reasonable opportunity to participate.

ICNNSW has posted over $210m of business for ANZ producers in the first half of 2008-09, placing it on target for another record year.

The result represents over 2500 new jobs for Australians in just six months.

ICNNSW Executive Director Mr Philip Sellars is optimistic that the organisation’s excellent recent performance will continue. “ICNNSW has increased its success rate by providing valuable supply chain services to an ever increasing client list”, said Mr Sellars. “We now have significant involvement with major players in industries such as mining, construction, power generation, water, process plant, food production, and land transport.”

During the first half of 2008-09, ANZ companies have won business from projects in;

• paper processing plant
• export terminals
• power stations
• water and sewage projects
• construction of various service centres.

A substantial amount of business, $137m has been generated for regional producers during the period, and Mr Sellars advised that ICNNSW regional consultants are now recognised as a critical resource for regional project developers, and local businesses are securing important contracts as a result.

Contrasting greatly against the boom conditions experienced at the commencement of 2008, 2009 has started under the cloud of the global financial crisis. Demand for Australian mineral exports has slumped significantly, which will impact in investment in the sector, and the economy in general.

ICNNSW will continue to play its part in job generation by continuing to seek opportunities within Australian projects, promoting Australian industry capability into international projects, and by introducing Australian producers to upcoming opportunities in sustainable energy production.

ICNNSW is working with Australian renewable energy project developers and international technology providers to secure opportunities for Australian industry to participate in a growing global market.

Australian producers that are successful in the renewable energy market will themselves have a sustainable future in local and export markets.

ICNNSW Southern Region Manager Mr Wally Hirsch is assisting developers of significant wind power projects in southern and western NSW. Current projects under consideration involve over 1,000 towers with a likely value of over $5billion.

Opportunities for Australian producers may come from tower construction and installation, windmill blades, electricity conversion systems and substations, associated construction, and through life support.

Further details on specific wind power projects are in the major projects section of this website.

ICNNSW is also liaising with the main technology providers for these projects in order to introduce Australian companies into their global supply chains.

Deputy Director Mr Trevor Toivonen, and Murray Riverina Manager Mr Klaus Baumgartel have visited major technology developers of wind power, solar, and bio-fuels to encourage them to consider Australian production via manufacture under licence, joint venture, or direct investment.

While there is potential for Australian industry from these activities, competition for business with renewable technology owners is strong. Australian industry will need to deliver innovative and competitive supply options to succeed in this market.

Contact:  Wally Hirsch

Email:  whirsch@icnnsw.org.au

NSW Hunter Manager Mr Ken Ford will lead several Australian trade missions to the Chinese coal mining sector over the next 2 years in order to expand export sales for suppliers to the industry.

The Commonwealth will provide funding under its Supplier Access to Major Projects (SAMP) program for this purpose.

China currently produces approx 2.3 billion tonnes of coal per annum and is planning to increase this to 3.3 billion tonnes over the next few years.

Opportunities for Australian producers may be found in;

• coal mine safety products and services (especially in draining methane from gassy mines)
• coal beneficiation plant
• coal seam methane power, and
• ultra-clean coal technologies.
   

ICNNSW is collaborating closely with China Australian Mining Development Alliance (CAMDA), and the Australian Mining Services International (AMSI) to;

• identify specific market opportunities in Chinese coal mines
• alert Australian industry to the export opportunities
• identify and qualify appropriate Australian producers to realise the opportunities
• facilitate introductions to potential Chinese customers, and supply chain partners to enable export of Australian products and services, and
• develop robust ongoing supply chains which will benefit Australian producers and Chinese customers alike. 

The program will involve conducting Australian supplier briefings, further discussions with interested companies, and leading targeted trade missions. 

An article on progress to date with this program is contained in the case studies section of this website. 

Contact: Ken Ford

Email: kford@icnnsw.org.au

Kraftliner is used for cardboard boxes, and the expansion will mean Visy no longer needs to import it from overseas. Wood makes up 80 per cent of kraftliner (the remaining 20 per cent consists of waste paper) and this wood is needed during general paper recycling to maintain paper strength.

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