Townsville businesses primed to win defence contracts

Seven Townsville businesses will share in more than $134,000 to grow their companies and become internationally competitive thanks to the first round of the Palaszczuk Government’s $1.5 million Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund.

Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke welcomed the funding for the Townsville businesses.

“The Defence Force is an incredibly important part of the makeup of Townsville,” she said.

“This financial support we have given to local businesses to tap into the Defence industry will help them grow in the future.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said this fund was created to support small-to-medium companies develop their capabilities and compete for national and international defence and aerospace industry contracts.

“This is about helping local companies tap into multi-billion-dollar industries to create jobs in Townsville,” he said.

“Each business has received up to $30,000 in matched funding so they can get the international certifications they need to tender for defence and aerospace contracts.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said with Townsville being Australia’s biggest garrison city it was important local businesses benefited from the opportunities associated with the sector.

“This is a very lucrative sector for businesses and plays an important role in diversifying the region’s economy,” he said.

Queensland’s defence industries are supported by world-class capabilities including aerospace support, ship repair and overhaul, heavy vehicle support, technology and manufacturing.

State Development Minister Kate Jones said Queensland’s defence and aircraft manufacturing and repair industries were major employers throughout the state, generating around $7.5 billion in revenue per year.

“Our state is home to 14 significant defence bases with more than 23,000 uniformed and civilian workers, many of whom are based in Townsville,” she said.

“Townsville hosts all three branches of the Australian Defence Force and their defence community is nearly 10 per cent of the city’s population.

“It makes sense to boost our defence manufacturing and aerospace industries. We’ve got a strategy in place to help local companies scale up in this sector and start exporting globally.”

The successful Townsville businesses are Brazier Motti, Global Welding Supplies, NEM Group, Peak ARE, Taylor Builders, TEI Services and Townsville Services Group.

NEM Group General Manager, Mr Aymon Vagulans said through this fund they were able to strengthen their welding and fabrication capabilities to access rewarding supply chain contracts for major defence suppliers.

“This is an amazing opportunity for not only us, but other Queensland manufacturers to access both the national and global markets,” Mr Vagulans said.

Peak ARE Director, Mr Brad Swaffer said their air conditioning, refrigeration and electrical company also had much to gain in becoming part of the defence supply chain.

“Accessing projects in this sector gives companies like ours an opportunity to grow, provide security for our workforce and strengthen our capabilities with long-term partners,” he said.

“The Townsville Defence Industry Hub has been supporting us through our journey to become part of the defence supply chain and linked us to upcoming regional defence opportunities. This funding will help us meet the requirements to participate in these projects. 

“I commend the Queensland Government for establishing this fund which helps us get the certifications we need to make us defence-ready for both the national and global markets.”

Peak ARE director Brad Swaffer said the air conditioning, refrigeration and electrical company also had much to gain in becoming part of the defence supply chain.

“Joining in with this sector gives companies like ours an opportunity to grow, provide security for our workforce and strengthen our capabilities with long-term partners,” he said.

“The Townsville Defence Industry Hub has been supporting us through our journey to become part of the defence supply chain and linked us to upcoming regional defence opportunities. This funding will help us meet the requirements to participate in these projects. 

“I commend the Queensland Government for establishing this fund which helps us get the certifications we need to make us defence-ready for both the national and global markets.”

There was a total of 18 businesses across Queensland that share in more than $250,000 under Round 1 of funding.

For more information and details on the recipients go to the Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund.

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Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447