One year on from the release of the Territory Labor Government’s delivered election promise, the first-ever Digital Territory Strategy is helping Territory businesses to build digital skills and capacity through the Digital Partnerships Grants program.

A key action under the Digital Territory Strategy, the Digital Partnerships Grants Program is providing critical seed funding to six local businesses across the tourism, agribusiness, energy and minerals, and creative industries sectors who are partnering with ICT companies to drive innovation, build capacity in the local ICT industry across key sectors, and create jobs for Territorians.

The program will leverage investment of almost $2.3 million into the economy; $900,000 in grant funding from the Territory Labor Government along with a $1.4 million contribution from the grant recipients.

Five of the approved projects are based in Darwin with one located in Alice Springs, and will be delivered throughout 2020 and 2021.

The successful projects are:

• InDigiVR will use contemporary digital technology to showcase the Territory’s Indigenous sites, heritage and landscapes with 3D VR headsets, through a partnership between the Warlpiri Media Aboriginal Corporation, Uber Air and PAW Productions. A grant of $200 000 is being provided to support this $400,000 initiative, which will be developed in Alice Springs.
   
• Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association in partnership with Aus Voltage Electrical and Provenance4, are investing $65,000 in digital health monitoring of livestock in holding yards and export shipments with $65,000 matched grant funding.
   
• Paspalis Enterprise, in partnership with One IT Services, Server Room Specialists and Charles Darwin University, is using their $117,000 grant to establish a digital resource and development facility at the Darwin Innovation Hub at a total investment of $260,000.
   
• Sterling NT is developing a water smart sensor system to reduce water use in parks and gardens, partnering with Bluereef Technology and IVM Group. The NTG is contributing $200,000 towards this $400,000 initiative.
   
• NightKey, a biometric identity management system, will be redeveloped by DEVA Darwin in partnership with Professional IT Solutions and One IT Services to provide an open platform to use in multiple industries and to integrate with other platforms, with $200,000 contributed by government towards the $868,000 project.
   
• DICE will receive $118,000 for the development of the Digital Access to Remote Renewable Energy Systems (DARRES) to improve monitoring and sustainability of renewable energy systems for remote communities and businesses, in partnership with New Futures IT and Balance Utility Solutions.

The Digital Partnerships Grants Program is just one key action under the Digital Territory Strategy and the 2018-19 Action Plan.

The refreshed 2019-20 Digital Territory Action Plan outlines a range of digital initiatives that deliver on the five strategic directions of the Strategy:

1.     Growing jobs and business

2.     Connecting Territory communities

3.     Building digital skills

4.     Enabling smarter communities

5.     Improving government services

This year’s Plan presents 68 digital actions for the year ahead, and beyond, in response to government policy developments, new business requirements and technology advances.

The 2019-20 Action Plan also provides updates on the achievements and actions continuing from the 2018-19 Action Plan.

For details of the Digital Territory Strategy and Action Plans visit digitalterritory.nt.gov.au

Further information on the Digital Partnerships Grants Program visit digitalterritory.nt.gov.au/digital-stories

Quotes from Minister for Corporate and Information Services, Lauren Moss:

“Last year, the Territory Labor Government delivered on our election commitment to develop the Digital Territory Strategy – a roadmap to grow a secure, connected and thriving digital economy and ensure Territorians are taking advantage of new technologies and are ready for the future.

“As part of the Strategy, the Digital Partnerships Grants Program is supporting local businesses to team up with the ICT industry to seek new and innovative digital solutions which will generate over $2.3 million worth of investment into our economy. This will help build capacity for our local industry and create more jobs for Territorians.

“As the digital landscape continues to develop and evolve, I am pleased to see our Territory businesses working together to develop digital innovations to solve local challenges and harness the opportunities that new technologies offer us.

“The Digital Territory Strategy and associated Action Plans will be reviewed and refreshed annually to incorporate new initiatives and to ensure we are building on our digital skills and knowledge, our capability and expanding the Territory’s digital footprint.”

Quotes from Warlpiri Media Chairperson, Valerie Napaljarrri Martin (InDigiVR project):

“This assistance from the Northern Territory Government will allow us to showcase Warlpiri country in ways never before seen, and help us to share our culture with virtual visitors from around the world. Our young people will learn cutting-edge digital skills and benefit from new job opportunities. This is very important because meaningful employment can be hard to find in our remote communities.”

Quotes from Managing Director, Uber Air, Daniel Gerich (InDigiVR project):

“We very much appreciate the Northern Territory Government’s support for Alice Springs-based business innovation. This project strengthens local Indigenous culture, offers training opportunities and will promote an amazing part of Central Australia rarely visited by outsiders.”

Media contact: Lisa Sennett 0436 929 858