The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and ICN are working together to ensure local and regional suppliers can take advantage of opportunities presented by Inland Rail, Australia’s largest freight rail infrastructure project.

More than 1000 small and medium businesses have registered through the ICN Gateway to compete for work in the $35 billion Hunter Class Frigate Program.

Through Hunter, BAE Systems Australia’s shipbuilding business, ASC Shipbuilding, will deliver nine anti-submarine warfare frigates to the Royal Australian Navy.

Over the Christmas period, Australia was in the grip of severe bushfires. This crisis has had a negative affect on many small businesses.

Over the next few months, many ICN offices across the country will be working in varying degrees with the recovery efforts.

Construction on Brisbane's $3.6 billion Queen's Wharf development is well under way and ICN QLD has been working with Multiplex, which has been awarded the contract for the Integrated Resort Development (Part A).

ICN NSW is working with Vestas on a 54-turbine windfarm being built near Collector, to ensure local businesses are involved in the successful delivery of the project.

Consultant Wally Hirsch said this windfarm was a latest in a number of renewable energy projects that ICN offices across Australia have been involved with over a number of years.

“Opportunities for Australian manufacturers and suppliers have come from the windfarm installation and construction process, cabling, electricity conversion systems and substations, and complementary industries such as heavy haulage and components,” Wally said.

Businesses interested in supplying to the Australian LNG facilities will benefit from an updated report being launched at the AOG conference in Perth.

First published in 2013, ICN WA’s “Operations, Maintenance and Facilities Management of Australian LNG Facilities” is a comprehensive list of companies that may outsource work for LNG opportunities.

ICN WA consultant Linus O’Brien said the first publication was initiated as ICN wanted suppliers to understand the best connection for them to offer their services or goods.

Darwin’s RAAF Base Tindal is set for further redevelopment, with a range of opportunities for local suppliers over the next few years.

While the Stage 6 upgrade project is yet to get final approval, Lendlease has released some early works packages to help stimulate the Northern Territory economy.

The Queensland Government is investing $176 million into an upgrade of the Cairns Convention Centre, and Far North Queensland suppliers are set to benefit.

Lendlease has been appointed managing contractor and early works are set to start soon.

Boeing Defence Australia is conducting a market search via ICN Gateway to get a better understanding of local capabilities for its Rotorcraft Network.

This includes starting the process of how it might integrate local industry into its proposal to supply its AH-64 Apache attack helicopter to meet the Land 4503 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) replacement program.

ICN and Australian Defence Alliance (ADA) recently hosted a diverse array of industry stakeholders at the Connecting SMEs: Defence function at the Australian Grand Prix precinct on Thursday March 12th. As part of the ongoing arrangement with this iconic sporting event, the breakfast provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the expanding defence sector within the Australian landscape. Also, partnering with the ADA provided an enhanced attendee demographic whilst enabling strong engagement from start to finish.

Autumn Capability News
Welcome to the first quarter of 2020. With unprecedented occurrences including the bushfires around the country and now Covid-19, it’s been a tough start to the year for many Australian businesses. Thankfully, there are several major projects across the country that are committed to a high percentage of local suppliers, and ICN are committed to continue to support and promote local opportunities. The big news this quarter is that more than 1000 small and medium businesses have registered expressions of interest in the BAE Systems’ Hunter Class Frigate program, currently entering a two-year prototype stage. We expect opportunities to continue to roll out from late 2022 as the ships are being built. With regard to the fires, many ICN offices across the country will be working in varying degrees with the recovery efforts. In NSW the government has appointed Laing O’Rourke to coordinate the clean-up of fire-damaged properties. Still in NSW, Inland Rail is starting work on the first of 13 individual projects, 7 in NSW, 1 in Victoria and 5 in Queensland, spanning more than 1700 kilometres. They will use ICN NSW to communicate with local industry through Gateway as well as at briefings and events. ICN NSW is also working with Vesta, project owners of 54-turbine windfarm being built near Collector. First approved in 2013, the windfarm the latest in a number of renewable projects that ICN has been involved with over a number of years. Across the border, ICN Qld is involved in several major projects, including Brisbane’s Queens Wharf redevelopment and the upgrade of Cairns Convention Centre. Boeing Defence Australia is using Gateway for market research into capabilities for its rotorcraft and space and satellite programs. While it is consulting through ICN QLD, it is keen to find industry partners throughout the country and identify capable suppliers against its programs. In the Northern Territory, the redevelopment of RAAF Base Tindal will provide a raft of opportunities for local suppliers as more and more work packages are rolled out over the next few years. Further south, ICN Vic hosted its annual breakfast events at the 2020 Formula One Australian Grand Prix. This year’s overarching theme was Connecting SMEs. Consultants from the Victorian office also recently visited some world-class manufacturing sites as guests from the South East Melbourne Manufacturing Alliance. It was with regret that the event was cancelled however, we understand the necessity given the global health crisis and look forward to the Australian GP returning bigger and better in 2021. Meanwhile, ICNWA has updated its “Operations, Maintenance and Facilities Management of Onshore Australian LNG Facilities”, a comprehensive list of companies that may outsource work for LNG opportunities. ICN staff across Australia look forward to helping your business in these trying times and wish for everyone to stay safe. If you are having to work from home, please support your colleagues by checking in with them to see whether they are ok. There’s a great video on LinkedIn you may want to view by Simon Sinek with some great advice on this exact topic. Mike Swart Chair, ICN Executive Directors
Inland Rail benefits begin to flow for regional New South Wales communities
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and ICN are working together to ensure local and regional suppliers can take advantage of opportunities presented by Inland Rail, Australia’s largest freight rail infrastructure project.
Hunter Class Frigate Program targets local industry
More than 1000 small and medium businesses have registered through the ICN Gateway to compete for work in the $35 billion Hunter Class Frigate Program. Through Hunter, BAE Systems Australia’s shipbuilding business, ASC Shipbuilding, will deliver nine anti-submarine warfare frigates to the Royal Australian Navy.
Bushfire recovery and relief
Over the Christmas period, Australia was in the grip of severe bushfires. This crisis has had a negative affect on many small businesses. Over the next few months, many ICN offices across the country will be working in varying degrees with the recovery efforts.
Transforming Brisbane's CBD
Construction on Brisbane's $3.6 billion Queen's Wharf development is well under way and ICN QLD has been working with Multiplex, which has been awarded the contract for the Integrated Resort Development (Part A).
More wind turbines planned for southern NSW
ICN NSW is working with Vestas on a 54-turbine windfarm being built near Collector, to ensure local businesses are involved in the successful delivery of the project. Consultant Wally Hirsch said this windfarm was a latest in a number of renewable energy projects that ICN offices across Australia have been involved with over a number of years. “Opportunities for Australian manufacturers and suppliers have come from the windfarm installation and construction process, cabling, electricity conversion systems and substations, and complementary industries such as heavy haulage and components,” Wally said.
LNG supply chain opportunities at your fingertips
Businesses interested in supplying to the Australian LNG facilities will benefit from an updated report being launched at the AOG conference in Perth. First published in 2013, ICN WA’s “Operations, Maintenance and Facilities Management of Australian LNG Facilities” is a comprehensive list of companies that may outsource work for LNG opportunities. ICN WA consultant Linus O’Brien said the first publication was initiated as ICN wanted suppliers to understand the best connection for them to offer their services or goods.
Further upgrades for strategic RAAF base
Darwin’s RAAF Base Tindal is set for further redevelopment, with a range of opportunities for local suppliers over the next few years. While the Stage 6 upgrade project is yet to get final approval, Lendlease has released some early works packages to help stimulate the Northern Territory economy.
Upgrade for award-winning convention centre
The Queensland Government is investing $176 million into an upgrade of the Cairns Convention Centre, and Far North Queensland suppliers are set to benefit. Lendlease has been appointed managing contractor and early works are set to start soon.
Boeing assesses local capability for defence projects
Boeing Defence Australia is conducting a market search via ICN Gateway to get a better understanding of local capabilities for its Rotorcraft Network. This includes starting the process of how it might integrate local industry into its proposal to supply its AH-64 Apache attack helicopter to meet the Land 4503 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) replacement program.
Engaging SME's at the Grand Prix
ICN and Australian Defence Alliance (ADA) recently hosted a diverse array of industry stakeholders at the Connecting SMEs: Defence function at the Australian Grand Prix precinct on Thursday March 12th. As part of the ongoing arrangement with this iconic sporting event, the breakfast provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the expanding defence sector within the Australian landscape. Also, partnering with the ADA provided an enhanced attendee demographic whilst enabling strong engagement from start to finish.

Inland Rail benefits begin to flow for regional New South Wales communities

Hunter Class Frigate Program targets local industry

Bushfire recovery and relief

Transforming Brisbane's CBD

More wind turbines planned for southern NSW

LNG supply chain opportunities at your fingertips

Further upgrades for strategic RAAF base

Upgrade for award-winning convention centre

Boeing assesses local capability for defence projects

Engaging SME's at the Grand Prix