Joint media release:
- Member for North Sydney, Mr Trent Zimmerman MP
North Sydney businesses are set to reap the benefits of a $25.8 million head contract awarded by the Morrison Government to deliver critical infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Waterhen.
Barpa Pty Ltd, a proud and dynamic Australian Indigenous construction company, has been awarded the contract, reinforcing the Government's commitment to support Indigenous businesses.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the project was also expected to provide benefits to the NSW economy by maximising the opportunities for Indigenous and local businesses.
"The construction workforce will average 20 workers per day, with a predicted peak of around 50 workers per day," Minister Price said.
"Under its Local Industry Capability Plan the project will target local businesses for 85 per cent of all subcontracting work."
Minister Price said the Government had committed to a significant investment at HMAS Waterhen in support of current and new maritime capabilities.
"HMAS Waterhen is the Royal Australian Navy's lead establishment for mine warfare and supports a large workforce of Defence personnel," Minister Price said.
"The project will improve critical base infrastructure and ensure HMAS Waterhen continues to be able to provide support to the mine warfare force.
"Barpa will remediate and upgrade the engineering services and working accommodation at HMAS Waterhen."
Barpa was procured under the Commonwealth Government's Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) to support development of Indigenous businesses, skills and workforce.
Member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman welcomed the upgrade works to HMAS Waterhen.
"I am delighted that the Morrison Government has invested $25.8 million for upgrades to the HMAS Waterhen, which is symbolic of the rich maritime history of the North Sydney region," Mr Zimmerman said.
"This investment will not only upgrade an iconic Navy site, but will also deliver a significant economic boost to the local businesses of North Sydney."
Defence continues to exceed Australian Government targets under the Indigenous Procurement Policy.
Since the introduction of the IPP in 2015, more than $4 billion of Federal Government contracts have been awarded to Indigenous businesses.
Of this, Defence has awarded more $2 billion in contract value to Indigenous-owned businesses.
Defence remains a key contributor against the Commonwealth Indigenous Procurement Policy.
In 2020-21, Defence exceeded its number target (676 contracts) by awarding over 3426 contracts to Indigenous businesses at a value of $497 million (against a value target of $110 million).
Detailed design work on the project started in July, with construction due to start in late 2021 and finish in mid-2023.
Additional information is available at Indigenous Procurement Policy.
