Back | Print

More than 100 Central Australian business owners and operators attended an industry forum in Alice Springs last night to hear of job opportunities from a landmark housing and infrastructure program.

 

Minister for Housing Rob Knight said he was pleased to see such a high number of locals turn out for the forum on the $672 million Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program (SIHIP), a joint Australian and Northern Territory Government five-year initiative.

 

“More than $130 million will be invested in communities across Central Australia under SIHIP, and last night’s forum was a great opportunity to hear how local businesses could benefit from the program," Mr Knight said.

 

“Alliance partners will be delivering works on the ground and were on hand to answer questions about their project plans for SIHIP and the service and suppliers that will be needed.

 

“A substantial workforce is going to be needed to get the job done and the Territory and Australian Governments are committed to ensuring local businesses are part of the project.”

 

Mr Knight and Member for Barkly Gerry McCarthy will attend a second industry forum in Tennant Creek tonight at 5pm at the Tennant Creek Training Centre.

 

Other forums will be held in Darwin on March 10, Katherine on March 11 and Nhulunbuy on March 18.

 

SIHIP, a joint Northern Territory and Australian Government initiative, is a five-year program which will improve housing and infrastructure in 73 communities across the Northern Territory.

 

“I strongly encourage sub contractors, Indigenous enterprises and training providers to consider attending the SIHIP forum in their region,” said Mr Knight.

 

For further information about the forums phone 08 8999 8852, visit www.nt.gov.au/sihip or email sihip@nt.gov.au.

 

Media contact: Katie Woolf  0420 972 505