Ngarda Civil & Mining this week commenced site works for the construction of 20 new houses under the fast track program that the Galiwin’ku community leaders have agreed to.
The houses will be three bedroom dwellings constructed with core filled concrete block with metal roofing to meet building code requirements for houses in cyclone prone areas of the NT.
The delivery of the homes will be completed in stages, with the final Ngarda houses delivered in March 2016.
Regional Recovery Coordinator, Jim Rogers said Ngarda has operated in the Territory for six years, with a track record in training local workers and has experience building houses in remote communities.
“The engagement of Ngarda is part of a program to deliver homes faster for Galiwin’ku families for the upcoming wet season,” Mr Rogers said.
“Ngarda has committed that 20 per cent of its construction workforce will be local Yolngu employees and is working closely with the Arnhem Land Progress Association to prepare a local construction crew for the works.”
The second contract for construction of the other 20 houses under the fast build program was awarded to Yolngu business partnership, DRG Industries.
DRG Industries is set to start works in October 2015 and finish by June 2016.
DRG Industries is an East Arnhem based business with a strong track record for employing and training local Yolngu workers, achieving more than 50 per cent in its current works program in Galiwinku. DRG will also be sourcing materials from the region, including locally harvested and milled timber for the manufacture of roof trusses in Galiwin’ku.
DRG Industries has committed to maintaining a 50 per cent Yolngu workforce.
Local Yolngu crews will be employed in timber harvesting, milling and truss making as well as in the construction of houses.
Community leaders have requested that half of the 80 houses are rebuilt quickly and the other half are built over the longer term to maintain strong involvement of local workers, enabling them to take up training and other development opportunities.
The Galiwin’ku barge landing, which is critical infrastructure for the delivery of supplies and materials to the island community, was severely damaged in Cyclone Lam. Reconstruction works on the barge landing are now complete which will ensure reliable supply lines are open for both the reconstruction program and Galiwin’ku community as the wet season approaches.
A tender is currently open to build two new homes in the Ramingining community to replace those also damaged by Cyclone Lam. The tender closes on 23 September 2015 with the aim of the houses being built by the end of the year.
The Northern Territory Government is committed to delivering real jobs for local people in the rebuilding effort and to build regional capacity, providing jobs and skills in manufacturing and construction supply industries.
Media Contact: Jessica Steele ph 8999 6138