The Territory Labor Government is developing Tennant Creek as a mining services hub and creating jobs for locals, with two tenders awarded to Territory Aboriginal-owned company Piening Holdings Ltd for works at legacy mines in the Tennant Creek area.
The contracts, valued at $153,850 and $29,395, are part of a program to address safety issues around legacy mine sites and create jobs in the region.
Mining has taken place in the Tennant Creek area since the 1930s, with many mines predating the requirement for operators to lodge a rehabilitation security bond.
These safety works are financed through the Mining Remediation Fund, funded by industry.
As stated by Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles:
The Territory Labor Government is creating jobs by carrying out safety works on legacy mine sites, with scope for some sites to be part of future tourist trails through this historic region.
Aboriginal Territorians are playing a major role in this, completing a range of jobs from weed management and dust monitoring to fencing and backfilling.
These latest contracts will see works carried out on 13 open mine workings, which will address public safety concerns in the area.
So far about $2 million has been spent on 19 projects such as this, with work on 18 of those projects going to Territory businesses.
Member for Barkly, Gerry McCarthy:
Creating jobs and improving community safety are key priorities of this government, especially in Tennant Creek, where we are investing in infrastructure including $1.45 million for new streetscapes and improved lighting, and $4million for upgrades to the Purkiss Sporting Reserve.
These latest contracts, which include a stock-proof fence at the Kunjarra Quarry (The Pebbles), mean jobs for Aboriginal Territorians and a safer environment for residents of and visitors to Tennant Creek.
Similar works are already being carried out in the Eldorado Area, Burnt Shirt and Town areas by a Tennant Creek contractor employing Aboriginal people. All the works are expected to be completed by November.
