Connecting Industry News

Welcome to the first edition of Connecting Industry News. Every month, Connecting Industry will keep you up-to-date on the latest resource and construction news, information, events and procurement opportunities in Queensland and Australia.

Can ‘Australian Made’ become conscious manufacturing?

The current talk about the revitalization of Australian owned and made products is gaining traction around the country however, is it just talk and is the Australian government really going to support home-grown manufacturing?

For the past 30 years, Australian manufacturing has declined largely due to globalization making it difficult to compete with countries that produce products cheaper where subsequently Australian companies had to move offshore. At first, the Australian government subsidized business to keep them here however, the writing was on the wall which has now created a system embedded into our culture whether you like it or not.

Much of the 20th century was fought by demanding a standard of living where workers have the right to create a life that supports themselves and their family by paying a decent minimum wage however, if Australia was to really compete with overseas workers pay-packets, are we prepared to drop the minimum wage?

So how does Australia compete? Sure, we can move back to protectionism, close off our borders and become an inward-looking nation, but as in the past, those ideals only make the country less competitive and would most likely only hurt the economy subsequently making us less productive and creating less wealth for all.

The current national zeal about manufacturing in Australia and buying locally made products is interesting to watch with many of us seeing it before and despite post COVID-19 reality, will people really buy Australian made when they can purchase the same product cheaper on the shelf below?

For the Australian manufacturing sector to be truly successful and supported by the Australian consumer, companies need to look beyond profit for just the shareholders by consciously creating value for all stakeholders i.e. customers, employees, suppliers, investors, communities, and the environment.

To a large extent, businesses are still operating under the ideals of the industrial revolution and are using an operating system that was developed in the industrial age. The idea of the sole purpose of business is to make profits and everything else is a means to an end remains the dominant mental model for business and that needs to change if we are to have a successful and publicly supported manufacturing sector.

The world was already changing before COVID-19 where consumers were consciously starting to demand companies need to have a higher purpose that transcends making money. A company’s higher purpose is the difference the firm is trying to make in the world. By focusing on a higher purpose, a business inspires, engages, and energizes stakeholders. Profit is not the purpose, although it is one of the many important measures of a business function however, a business should not exist merely to generate profits, but should also aim to generate multiple kinds of value for all its stakeholders. When a company starts to look at how they can operate consciously, they start considering their impact and footprint on the world and not just in the immediate future but 100 years from now. How is the business inspiring their customers, empowering their employees, and looking after their community? Are their suppliers operating ethically and what environmental footprint are they leaving on the world?

If we’re to revitalize the Australian manufacturing sector with the reality Australian made products are more expensive than cheap imports and to avoid protectionism, the consumer needs to not only believe the product is useful and proud that it’s Australian made, but they need to also be proud in the knowledge the product has been consciously produced where all stakeholders i.e. employees, suppliers, investors, communities, and the environment are at the forefront of its production where they not only become champions of the product and the business but they are prepared to spend more to buy the item than the same cheaper product on the shelf below.

Kieran Moran.

Industry News Briefs.

Curragh North hits the 'go-button'.

Coronado Global Resources has pressed the ‘go’ button for its Curragh North underground development, with first coal from the project expected late next year.

The company outlined its plans for the Blackwater metallurgical coal project, expected to cost $125 million to $147 million ($US85-$100 million) to bring online, in its quarterly report.

The project will use the final open-cut highwall to gain direct access to the coal seams, significantly reducing capital expenditure requirements and start-up risk.

An operational readiness team has been established for Curragh North mine consisting of project management, engineering, environmental, geotechnical design, and procurement specialists with construction expected towards the end of the year.

350MW solar and storage project gets state tick of approval.

The Blind Creek Solar Farm project, which will combine up to 350 MW of PV with up to 300 MW/600 MWh of battery energy storage capacity, has received development consent from the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Planning and Environment.

A joint venture between Octopus Australia, a subsidiary of UK-based global fund manager Octopus Group, and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), the Blind Creek project is being developed near Bungendore in southeast NSW.

Octopus said the start of construction will be largely driven by the network connection process which it is now working through in parallel with the procurement process for both the solar and battery.

Construction of the estimated $450 million (USD 300 million) 350 MW Blind Creek solar farm and large-scale battery energy storage project is forecast to commence in the second half of 2024 and come online in 2026.

More join the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub (CQ-H2) project.

The Queensland government has reaffirmed that Singapore-headquartered Keppel Infrastructure Holdings Pte Ltd has joined the consortium of Australian and Japanese energy companies seeking to develop a 3 GW renewable hydrogen project near Gladstone on the central Queensland coast.

Singaporean conglomerate Keppel Infrastructure has added its weight to the consortium driving the development of the $12.4 billion (USD 8.47 billion) Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub (CQ-H2) project which would initially involve the installation of up to 640 MW of electrolysers to produce green hydrogen for domestic use and export commencing in 2028.

If successful, the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub (CQ-H2) project is expected to support up to 8,900 new jobs at its peak.

Green light for South Walker Creek upgrade.

Stanmore Resources Limited has given the green light to a $100 million upgrade at South Walker Creek including a CHPP expansion and new maintenance workshop.

The expansion project at the Bowen Basin coal mine may also see the introduction of three additional hired truck and excavator fleets.

The $US69 million (just over $AU100 million) investment approved by the board is expected to roll out during 2023 and 2024, with the aim of hitting a new steady-state production rate of about 7.0Mpta from early 2025.

The planned expansion of the South Walker Creek will involve construction of a dense media cyclone modular plant, a new maintenance workshop as well as ancillary infrastructure, and the company ‘will also contemplate’ introducing three more truck and excavator fleets.

The above industry News Briefs were sourced from the following publications" IQ Industry Queensland , PV Magazine , Renew Economy , and Australian Mining .

Connecting Industry Podcast.

On the latest Connecting Industry Podcast, Connecting Industry director Kieran Moran, speaks with Cory Ebenestelli , the Director at MitiLabs . Mitilabs is an innovative company that specializes in providing cutting-edge solutions and products to companies across a wide range of industries including the resource and construction sector.

Starting as an electrician, Cory founded Mitilabs to develop innovative IP for companies that need it most. In that time, he has developed HAVTrack, a device that can assist in preventing significant and permanent injuries that can occur from hand arm vibration syndrome, a syndrome that happens from continual use of vibration tools and equipment. To listen to Cory's' story and others working in the resource and construction sector, connect here.

Industry Events.

Connecting Renewable Energy Conference Qld 23.

The online/virtual Connecting Renewable Energy Conference Qld 23 features speakers from some of the largest renewable energy, resource, and construction companies in Australia presenting their project procurement and solution-based opportunities.?

Held on October 5 and w ith 6-8 projects being presented and over $8bn of procurement opportunities, the event is designed to assist Queensland’s and Australia’s resource, construction, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain. The strategic focus of the conference is to highlight potential major project procurement opportunities from now to over the next five years to assist industry and the supply chain in their planning for future work opportunities. To find out more about this event, connect here: Connecting Renewable Energy Conference Qld 23 .

Connecting Industry Luncheon: Neoen.

The next Connecting Industry Luncheon with Neoen is on Wednesday, September 13. Held in Gladstone Queensland, Connecting Industry Luncheons are attended by CEO’s, managing directors, and business executives from across Queensland and Australia. The nature of the luncheons gives your business the opportunity to connect, engage, and network with all presenting company speakers, industry, attending delegates, and the local supply chain.

In Queensland, Neoen is currently developing the Mount Hopeful Wind Farm, a large-scale renewable energy project in Central Queensland based within the Rockhampton and Banana Shire areas. The Mount Hopeful Wind Farm is under active development, with construction expected to commence late 2023 or early 2024. Construction will take about 24 months and will require a peak workforce of around 300 personnel. For more information about this event, connect here: Connecting Industry Luncheon: NEOEN

Meet the Buyer event.

Advance Rockhampton and Rockhampton Regional Council are hosting a Renewable Energy ‘Meet the Buyer’ Event in Rockhampton on August 17.

In addition to meeting with renewable energy proponents you will be able to meet with principal contractors for the Rockhampton Ring Road Project (Bielby Holdings-BMD Group Joint Venture and the ACCIONA Australia-Fulton Hogan Joint Venture) plus procurement staff from Heritage Minerals – Mount Morgan Mine Project.

At this event you will be able to connect with renewable energy project proponents and prime contractors looking to procure products and services in Central Queensland as well as organise 10-minute meetings with some of the proponents.?

To find out more about this event, connect here: Renewable Energy Meet the Buyer Event .

Major Industry, Energy & Manufacturing Conference.

The Gladstone Industry Alliance are holding their Major Industry, Energy & Manufacturing Conference on September 27 and 28.?

This is a great annual event for local industry and the supply chain and will provide delegates with a valuable experience as they engage with prominent guest speaker's from Rio Tinto, Gladstone Ports Corporation Ltd, CleanCo Queensland and Shell QGC to name just a few. This is the ideal opportunity to gain insight on where industry, energy and manufacturing is heading and the opportunities available across the broader Central Queensland area as our region progress to undertake some incredible new projects.

To find out more about this event, connect here: 2023 Major Industry, Energy & Manufacturing Conference.

LinkedIn Local Events.

Have you registered for the August LinkedIn Local Rockhampton event on Thursday, August 17? LinkedIn Local Rockhampton is a business networking event without the pitch which allows you to connect with, and meet, local business in a great atmosphere. So, come along to Rockhampton's only LinkedIn Local networking event where you'll meet like-minded people in local businesses from around the region and network over some nibbles and drinks in a great atmosphere and create new business connections that could be valuable in the future. LinkedIn Local Rockhampton is free to attend, and you do not have to be on LinkedIn. To find out more and register your ticket to the largest networking event in Rockhampton, connect here now.

Connecting Industry Talent.

How are you negotiating your job offers?

Congratulations! You've made it through the job application process, aced the interviews, and now you have a job offer in hand. Negotiating your job offer is a crucial step to ensure you get the best possible deal and start your new job on the right foot. However, before entering negotiations, have you gathered information about the job market, industry standards, and the company's salary range for the position? Have you identified your non-negotiable requirements, such as salary, benefits, flexible hours, or remote work options. And can you demonstrate how you can contribute to the company's success and why you are the perfect fit for the role??Connect to our latest blog for some helpful hints, tips, and pitfalls to avoid when negotiating your next job offer:?To find out more, connect to the Connecting Industry Talent blog now.

Connecting Industry is passionate about connecting your business to the resource and construction industry via our three tiers of professional services – Events , Talent , and Communications . To find out more about Connecting Industry, including our events, recruitment / talent services, podcasts, and communications / stakeholder engagement initiatives, email us at [email protected] or phone on 0438 146 819.