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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

More hands needed to re-build the Territory (NT)

Media release

More hands needed to re-build the Territory (NT)

Media release
“The next Northern Territory Government must be bold, pulling out all stops to get the economy moving in a positive direction and placing housing as their key pillar to rebuilding the Territory from the ground up,” stated HIA Executive Director - Northern Territory, Luis Espinoza.

“By supercharging the building industry, it would bring with it key economic opportunities for the Territory including the creation of new and exciting jobs. 

“In turn it would support greater retail activity, substantially stimulate the economy and ultimately house the future Territorians.

“However, to build the 11,000 homes that the Territory desperately needs, more workers of all forms are required including carpenters, bricklayers, concreters, tilers as well as key off site personnel including planners, designers, certifiers. 

“HIA is calling on the next NT Government to implement a key program to build a strong workforce for the Territory centred around ‘attract, train and retain’.

“This involves a four-pronged approach including:

  • Government partnering with industry on an attraction and promotional campaign of taking on a trade and/or career in construction.
  • Fund work-ready programs and apprenticeship courses to expose students and young workers to career options in construction.
  • Implement policies that attract and incentivise apprentices, increase the number of apprentice places, reduce the cost of hosting an apprentice, and recognise the importance of retaining apprentices through mentoring.
  • Provide apprentices with a $1,000 tool bonus program starter kit and a $500 supplement per year of the apprenticeship to support apprentice retention rates.  

“Housing is intrinsically tied to economic growth and vice-versa. Kickstarting the Northern Territory’s economy will require attracting more people to the Territory and more people into the building industry.

“Simply put, more homes will translate into more business activity, more jobs and greater economy activity and growth for all Territorians,” concluded Mr Espinoza.

HIA’s Northern Territory 2024 Election Priorities can be accessed here.

For more information please contact:

Luis Espinoza

Executive Director – Northern Territory

Joe Shanahan

Manager, Communications & Media
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