GWELO BUILDING IN DARWIN SINCE 1975

Transcription

1 GWELO BUILDING IN DARWIN SINCE 1975 Unless you live under a rock, you couldn t possibly have missed the fact that President Obama visited Darwin yesterday. Several weeks ago, we saw an invasion of the Mantra Pandanas Hotel as the US recon units (reconnaissance) arrived, followed closely by the vanguard. They moved in, set up command posts and commandeered every hire car in the Northern Territory, indeed northern Australia. Next, a large number of temporary computer stations were set up, satellite dishes affixed and the reception area became full of conspicuous muscles and equally conspicuous accents from across the pond. No doubt, by now, a lot of people were questioning where exactly is Darwin? Well that, my friends, is the point. Our Northern Territory capital is strategically positioned at the edge of the oil and gas rich Timor Sea, on a direct route to South East Asian economic hotspots. The city plays a pivotal role in this region and this role is now substantially enhanced. Over the next decade or so, Australia could overtake Qatar as the world s largest LNG producer. A proportion of LNG and condensate exports and most of the offshore servicing will come through the Port of Darwin. There are massive opportunities here for investors to increase their wealth. We therefore welcome the buildup of American troops in the Top End, not just the Marines but also their Air Force personnel and Navy presence. All of this adds to the already diverse economy here in Darwin, as reflected in these Bulletins. The President s visit has certainly been a significant event for Darwin but not in the sense of a one-off PR exercise. Rather, it has economic ramifications that will become increasingly evident in future months and years. It s even possible that I may find myself interesting some US personnel in Darwin investment properties. Anyone in Australia who thinks Darwin isn t heading for a boom better go back and live under that rock. I look forward to your call. Best Regards, Jim Downs, ISSUE 26

2 Darwin Economic News Australia-United State Force Posture Initiatives Prime Minister of Australia Press Office Starting next year, Australia will welcome the deployment of U.S. Marines to Darwin and Northern Australia, for around six months at a time, where they will conduct exercises and training on a rotational basis with the Australian Defence Force. The initial deployment will consist of a small liaison element and a company of 250 U.S. Marines. The intent in the coming years is to establish a rotational presence of up to a 2,500 person Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The U.S. Marines will exercise and train on a rotational basis with the Australian Defence Force in the Northern Territory. The leaders also agreed to closer cooperation between the Royal Australian Air Force and the U.S. Air Force that will result in increased rotations of U.S. aircraft through northern Australia Welcome NT News Editorial The emergence of China as a world power, the economic upsurge in Asia, and the gas-fired economic revolution off the north Australia coast, have given Darwin enormous strategic importance Windfall for NT Mining NT News Business Week Prime Minister Julie Gillard s plans to lift Australia s ban on uranium sales to India is expected to have a dramatic effect on the mining industry in the Territory. NT Minerals Council head Peter Stewart said Ms Gillard s decision was great news for the Territory Nabarlek and Batchelor in the Top End are well advanced ABB to acquire Powercorp in Australia Zurich, Switzerland ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has agreed to acquire... Darwin based Powercorp.. Powercorp brings expertise for the integration of renewable energy generation into conventional micro and remote island grids, said Peter Leupp, head of ABB s Power Systems division... Joining forces with ABB is a logical next step for the growth of our business, said Alan Langworthy CEO of Powercorp. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 130,000 people Darwin to Townsville flights set to take off NT News Airnorth will fly direct from Darwin to Townsville Airnorth s base is in Darwin. It carries more than 250,000 people each year to 16 destinations in the Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and East Timor. 2

3 SOHO site clearance At Gwelo s SOHO site on Woods Street, in Darwin s CBD, the houses have been demolished, clearance completed and excavation on the basement will start immediately. SOHO is heading for completion two years from now Legislative Assembly, Hansard Minister Knight The mining sector contributes one-quarter of the Territory s gross state product, so it is quite a significant contributor. That was valued at $4.2bn in the financial year. The Northern Territory has an abundance of natural minerals and energy sources as well. In the financial year, the value of mineral and energy production is expected to reach something like $5.8bn, rising to $6.5bn in the year, so significant expansion and growth of that sector and an impact on our communities. The mining sector will continue to be a strong and significant part of the Northern Territory s growth for many decades to come. Darwin Port Corporation Annual Report 2010/2011, Excerpts The Port of Darwin is strategically positioned as Australia s nearest port to the fast growing economies of Asia and is the northern terminus of the AustralAsia Railway which connects East Arm Wharf to the national rail network. In addition to its foremost operations at East Arm Wharf, the Corporation manages a number of facilities which cater for naval vessels, fishing and pearling fleets, recreational vessels and cruise ships, and tourism The oil and gas support sector continued to provide growth and demand for improved Port structure. For example the Shell Prelude Offshore facility will provide significant demand for operational services for both vessel and cargo during the installation phase, with ongoing trade services over the prolonged period of 10 years. The Port of Darwin, with its strategic regional location, deep water harbour and connection to the national rail network, is a major export port. It is Australia s nearest port to Asia s fast growing economies and is the only port between Townsville and Fremantle with full access to multi-modal transport services to handle Australia s increasing trade needs. Ideally positioned to service the region s developing offshore oil and gas fields it is already the import destination and distribution centre for most cargoes used in the Timor Sea offshore 3

4 oil and gas industry. The Port is about to become the location of a second Darwin liquid natural gas facility. Darwin Port Corporation is preparing for a period of exciting growth. The resources sector will continue to provide growth and demand for improved Port infrastructure, with major activity forecasts including: Ichthys INPEX project Shell s Prelude project Marine Supply Base Substantial increase in forecast in cruise ship visits PPTEP s Montara oil platform rebuild Minemakers Woonarah Phosphate Mine Sherwin Iron s Hodgson Downs project New Australian Navy Amphibian Fleet to be based in NT New larger vessels for Australian Customs and Border Patrol s NT fleet New business acquisitions resulting in increases of small coastal landing craft (46 metres) to transport freight to regional communities. The Shell Prelude offshore facility will provide demand for significant operational services for both vessel and cargo during the installation phase, with ongoing trade services over the prolonged period of 10 years. The Marine Supply Base will increase marine capacity and capabilities to service the region s growing offshore petroleum sector and will facilitate growth in local rig tender movements. The announcement in 2010 of Darwin as a strategic Australian Defence port within the National Ports Strategy has, and will continue to have, a significant impact on Port infrastructure, security and traffic. The Port of Darwin remains Australia s leading port for live cattle exports to Asia. 2010/11 Exports of Manganese from OM Holdings operations at Bootu Creek reached 882,804 tonnes in 2010/11, an increase of 15% (24 bulk vessel visits). 18 bulk vessels specifically for the transport of copper concentrate visited; 17 bulk vessels specifically for the transport of iron ore visited. Exports to China made up 59% of overall trade and 83% of total exports. Imports from Singapore made up 60% of total imports into the Port of Darwin while Japan made up 18%. Darwin is growing as a cruise destination with the Port able to receive mega liners at a dedicated cruise ship berth just minutes from the city. Of all Australian cruise ship ports, Darwin recorded the second highest growth in cruise ship visits for the year after Sydney and ahead of Cairns. 2010/2011: Cruise ship increase of 8% to 53 ship visits. 2012: 49 cruise ships are scheduled to visit the Port of Darwin in 2012, including the Queen Mary 2, Zaandam, Celebrity Century, Athena and LAustral on their maiden visits to Darwin. The Diamond Princess carries a maximum capacity of 3,290; Cunard s Queen Mary 2 will be en route to Bali, carrying up to 2,800. The number of defence vessels also increased significantly from the previous year with a total of 62 calls recorded. 4

5 Disclaimer The above information has been compiled by Gwelo Developments Pty Ltd (the Agent) from third party providers. The Agent has not verified whether the above information is accurate and does not have any belief one way or the other as to its accuracy. The Agent does no more than pass on the information. The Agent does not accept any responsibility to any person for its accuracy. All interested parties should make and rely upon their own enquiries in order to determine whether or not the information is, in fact, accurate. 5