The Digital Partnerships Program was established in 2019 with the aim to support the local ICT industry to build capacity and create jobs, foster partnerships between the Territory’s ICT sector and other local industries, and encourage the development of innovative digital solutions to meet local challenges and support economic growth.
Through the Digital Partnerships Program, six Territory businesses received grant funding totalling $900,000 with an extra $1.4 million of private investment being contributed by grant recipients. In addition to injecting $2.3 million into the local economy, these projects, having only been operating since October 2019, have already resulted in the creation of 10 new jobs, including five Aboriginal jobs, as a direct result of the approved projects and the support or dozens of existing jobs across the Territory.
The successful projects are:
- InDigiVR will use contemporary digital technology to showcase the Territory’s Aboriginal sites, heritage and landscapes with 3D VR headsets, through a partnership between the Warlpiri Media Aboriginal Corporation, Uber Air and PAW Productions. A grant of $200,000 is being provided to support this $400,000 initiative, which will be developed in Alice Springs.
- Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association in partnership with Aus Voltage Electrical and Provenance4, are investing $65,000 in digital health monitoring of livestock in holding yards and export shipments with $65,000 matched grant funding.
- Paspalis Enterprise, in partnership with One IT Services, Server Room Specialists and Charles Darwin University, is using their $117,000 grant to establish a digital resource and development facility at the Darwin Innovation Hub at a total investment of $260,000.
- Sterling NT is developing a water smart sensor system to reduce water use in parks and gardens, partnering with Bluereef Technology and IVM Group. The Territory Government is contributing $200,000 towards this $400,000 initiative.
- NightKey, a biometric identity management system, will be redeveloped by DEVA Darwin in partnership with Professional IT Solutions and One IT Services to provide an open platform to use in multiple industries and to integrate with other platforms, with $200,000 contributed by government towards the $868,000 project.
- DICE will receive $118,000 for the development of the Digital Access to Remote Renewable Energy Systems (DARRES) to improve monitoring and sustainability of renewable energy systems for remote communities and businesses, in partnership with New Futures IT and Balance Utility Solutions.
The Digital Partnership Grant program projects will be delivered throughout 2020 and 2021.