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Support industry sector representative organisations to drive and coordinate industry led innovation initiatives

Measure

Implementation of industry led innovation initiatives and plans.

Implemented

Summary

Peak industry bodies and sectoral leaders including Australian Industry Defence Network - Northern Territory (AIDN-NT), Humpty Doo Barramundi Pty Ltd and the NT Live Exporters' Association were supported to undertake innovation activities that benefit their Economic Development Framework sectors of defence support, tourism and agribusiness.

More recently, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade through the Territory Economic Reconstruction Report has supported industry sector representatives and organisations to drive and coordinate industry led innovation initiatives. Using collaboration and the Territory Innovation Ecosystem as a mechanism, the Department has established programs, partnerships, networks and clusters to motivate industry representatives to solve problems together.

Outcomes

National Innovation Games

Launched on 22 March 2021 by the Hon Paul Kirby MLA, the NT series of the National Innovation Games focussed on renewable energy and included three games, delivered virtually and in person during April, May and September. The games provided a platform to connect Territorian students with small and medium businesses involved in innovation, research and development. While additionally delivering unique learning and training opportunities for participants to engage in innovation development relevant to business and the economy.

The industry led innovation initiatives and intellectual property developed in the games are open source and available to the public to explore and develop.

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Territory Innovation Challenges Program

The Territory Innovation Challenges Program (TICP) concept was publicly introduced during October Business Month 2020, and is intended to contribute to the achievement of the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission mission to accelerate the Territory’s economic growth by creating jobs in the near, medium and long term.

The program will facilitate a competitive approach to solving industry challenge statements, resulting in the development and government procurement of an innovative solution. The TICP will do this by accelerating the development of a more competitive, innovation driven economy in the Territory, where Territory enterprises form collaborative clusters to innovate products and services for local and export markets, driving private sector jobs and investment growth.

The TICP procurement process was successfully trialled through the Department of Health’s Drones for Life project, and the program is currently in final draft and scheduled for industry consultation late 2021.

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Digital Partnership Program Funding

The Digital Partnerships Program is a Territory Government initiative to support the local information and communication technology (ICT) industry to build capacity and create jobs, foster partnerships across the sector and other local industries and encourage the development of innovative digital solutions to meet local challenges and support economic growth. The program was administered and delivered by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. The successful projects were:

  • Paspalis Enterprise, in partnership with One IT Services, Server Room Specialists and Charles Darwin University, will establish a digital resource and development facility at the Darwin Innovation Hub.
    • Project completed
  • Sterling NT (Mycor) is developing a water smart sensor system to reduce water use in parks and gardens, partnering with Bluereef Technology and IVM Group.
    • Project completed
  • 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.
    • Project completed
       
  • DICE is developing 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.
    • Project Nearing Completion
       
  • InDigiVR: Used contemporary digital technology to showcase the Territory’s Indigenous sites, heritage and landscapes with 3D VR headsets, through a partnership between the Warlpiri Media Aboriginal Corporation, Uber Air and PAW Productions, which is being developed in Alice Springs.
    • The project is ongoing
       
  • Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Association in partnership with Aus Voltage Electrical and Provenance4, planned to explore the digital health monitoring of livestock in holding yards and export shipments.
    • The project was cancelled due to Covid-19 implications.


Updates current at October 2021.

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Charles Darwin University Collaboration

The Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission Report recommends collaborating with Charles Darwin University (CDU) to build its competitive advantage and its relevancy to the Territory and Australia by determinedly pursuing new models of engagement and delivery (SK2).

Funding was provided to CDU by the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade to provide Aboriginal Northern Territory businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs with access to an expert to undertake the provision of advice on behalf of CDU for Aboriginal businesses undertaking innovation. Read more.

Due to the lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, various Aboriginal businesses had to assess their options and either close down, pivot or pause operations. CDU - Northern Institute, funded by the Territory Government partnered with Tagai Management Consultants in the development and delivery of the In the Black Indigenous Business Resilience Program; an innovative and digital business-to-business service for Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In the Black is a culturally contextualised entrepreneurial and business-to-business support program to build on the resilience and sustainability of established Northern Territory Indigenous businesses. The program itself was designed specifically to evolve and improve based on the volatile market forces caused by COVID-19. It therefore possesses great potential to change and evolve in the future. The program and its organisers Murray and Julieanne were recognised for leadership in developing a business resilience program that supported Aboriginal businesses in the NT to make decisions about their future during COVID-19 at the Conference and Excellence in Procurement Awards 2021.

News items:

Innovation Playground

Delivered in Darwin on 26 June 2021 in partnership with the City of Darwin and Inspired NT, the Innovation Playground was a festival-style event designed to excite youth into STEM and innovation career pathways. 1,139 registered attendees participated in workshops and exhibitions which were showcased by 30 local industry businesses including but not limited to: robotics, drones, science, ag-tech, gaming, computer tech and 3D printing.

Industry and volunteers took part in the event largely due to their passion for STEM outreach. They determined the event a good opportunity to showcase their products and information to the general public, with feedback received as follows:

  • 92% of stall holders who responded to the survey agreed that they engaged with new audiences during the event
  • 80% of stallholders had their expectations exceeded or met.
Last updated on 21 April 2022
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