August marks a significant milestone month for Aligned Corporate Residences as we celebrate our 3rd Birthday.

Over the past three years, we've been dedicated to providing exceptional accommodation experiences for our valued residents. From day one, our mission has been to deliver unparalleled comfort, service, and support to those who stay with us, and we couldn't have done it without the incredible support from our team, partners, and most important our residents.

Veterans Business Alliance member and Oasis supporter Cubic Defence Australia has been announced the winner of the Innovation category at the Townsville Chamber of Commerce 2024 Business Awards.

The innovation award recognises ‘game-changing businesses or companies operating in Townsville that have developed nationally or globally competitive products, processes or services. Nominations can be for a single product or service initiative, or an overall strategy.’

More than 320 people attended the awards event representing businesses across a range of industries.
Cubic’s Senior Manger Proposals and Communications Cathy Weis accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Cathy said Cubic’s nomination spanned four business initiatives with the team working on some exciting initiatives during the past 12 months.

“The award recognised the team’s work to develop and deliver our Enhanced Personal Area Network (EPAN) soldier kit. EPAN is the next generation of equipment enabling live instrumentation of soldiers across vast, remote training ranges,” Cathy said.

Other initiatives in which the team has excelled include development of a deployable waste to energy system using microwave assisted pyrolysis, working with James Cook University and TEi Services.
“Teams have also made significant strides in enhancing drone effects for simulation in training activities,” Cathy said. “And it has been a busy time developing course materials for the new Certificate III in Simulation and Interactive Technologies due to be piloted during 2024 and 2025 with the support of the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland initiative.”

Townsville-based manufacturer TEi Services stands to create more local manufacturing jobs thanks to a new defence contract.

Under the agreement signed last month, TEi Services will manufacture armoured doors, hatches, and covers at their Townsville workshops and deliver the completed items to Hanwha Defence Australia’s facility in Avalon, Victoria for integration onto their LAND 8116 Phase 1 (Protected Mobile Fires) family of vehicles.

The contract, valued at over $10M, marks a new era for the locally owned company. Having provided specialised trade repair support locally for Defence vehicle assets, this contract is the first big leap into Defence prime supply chains for the company.

Leveraging the 55 years of local manufacturing experience, along with heavy investment in systems, certifications and skills development activities, the company has proven it has the expertise and capability to confidently deliver this package of works.

As manufacturing ramps up, local jobs will be created for many roles in North Queensland, including boilermaker welders, painters, fitters, machinists, and other skilled areas. It also provides for opportunity for growth amongst the company's supply-chain partners.

In addition to manufacturing these sub-assemblies for the vehicles, TEi Services is also well positioned to provide through-life maintenance support to the vehicles, the majority of which will be based at Army’s 3rd Brigade in Townsville.

Hanwha Defence Australia has been contracted by the Department of Defence for the LAND8116 Phase 1 Protected Mobile Fires program, a more than $1 billion project to acquire self-propelled artillery systems. Altogether, the Australian Army is acquiring 30 AS9s, a 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer based on the Korean K9 Thunder, and 15 AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (based on the K10) under the program.

In the delivery of the program, Hanwha Defence Australia is partnering with sovereign defence industry spanning the country, providing significant economic benefit to Australian industry partners and their corresponding supply chains.

Images: Huntsman test gun firing at ADF Port Wakefield P&EE, South Australia (courtesy of Hanwha Defence Australia)

A Miles Government manufacturing grant will enable Townsville manufacturer, NEM Group to purchase a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Beamline machine that will expand the manufacturing capacity and grow the business, resulting in as many as 20 new jobs over the next five years; with five of those being created within the next 12 months.

NEM Equipment Hire, part of the NEM Group, are a major service provider to Townsville’s defence sector and the sugar industry. This work includes servicing Wilmar sugar mills, blast-and-paint, equipment maintenance for air force equipment such as dozers and fuel trucks, as well as repairs to army equipment, and manufacturing replacement steelwork, to name a few.

Purchasing the new CNC beamline machine has been made possible thanks to $833,000 in funding from Round 5 of the Queensland Government’s Made in Queensland program.

The machine will ensure tasks they can be completed more quickly and to a consistently higher standard. This is crucial for NEM as the business pursues increased project work from its air force and army clients.

NEM will be able to deliver steel fabrication components on-site faster and more efficiently through reduced manufacturing times, reduced lead times and faster logistical processes.

CPB Contractors has been selected by the Australian Government ’s Department of Defence to undertake the Army Aviation Program of Works at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Townsville.

In line with the objectives of the Defence Strategic Review, works will include the upgrade or rebuild of infrastructure and facilities to support the relocation of both the 1st Aviation Regiment from Robertson Barracks and the 16th Aviation Brigade from Gallipoli Barracks to RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland.

CPB Contractors’ expertise and experience will ensure the package of works is delivered in line with all operational and security requirements. We are focused on delivering expanded, fit for purpose facilities to support and serve the Australian Army’s increasing numbers and spatial needs. Our local knowledge and experience will also ensure this project maximises social and economic opportunities for local community, industry and Indigenous participation.

A defence and hydrogen maintenance hub costing $19m will be built in the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park, which will make Townsville a central link in North Queensland’s renewable energy supply chain.

As part of the hub, commercial and fleet maintenance group RGM Maintenance’s expansion will triple the land size of its existing lot in Roseneath and would mean the creation of 65 new jobs when construction is completed in two years.

RGM director-owner Greg Jackson said it was “exciting times” for the 20-year-old business, and that job growth for the company would increase training opportunities.

“We’re very proud of the number of apprentices we employ every year, our current numbers around 40 which is about a quarter of our total number.

“With this move with this facility we’ll push that number higher.

“It won’t be a traditional apprenticeship like I went under, there will be a lot more focus on electric vehicles, hydrogen.”

Acting Premier Steven Miles toured the existing facility in Roseneath on Wednesday, due to the Queensland Government’s investment in funding part of the project within a commercial agreement.

He said facilities that used hydrogen based technology such as this was the answer to balancing job creation with protecting the environment, and that it would reinforce Queensland’s position as “Australia’s khaki state” through offering essential services to support Australian Defence Force’s ground transport operations.

“This is just the beginning of a golden decade of incredible opportunities for the state’s north emanating from Townsville,” Mr Miles said.

Courtesy of The Townsville Bulletin

AEP have reached a very significant milestone. From our very humble start and support from loved family and friends, we have reached 37 FTE staff.

Being heavily focussed on mechanical engineering services to Defence, Commercial, Energy and Resource sectors, we love what we do, but a challenge to get all our people in one spot.

Rarely is there a chance to sit back and reflect on our growth and achievements, so on Friday, we gathered our people and showcase vehicles to take a few photos. We do not get on social media to do anything but highlight our skills, so this is a rare insight into our growth.

A big thank you to Matthew Hibbs and Haydan Guest for putting the effort into this memorable moment for us. For those that know, Arte et Marte.

Saab Australia was awarded Employer of the Year (Large Category) at the 2023 Prime Minister's National Veterans' Employment Program Awards.

With approximately 15% of our workforce having either served or still serving in the Defence Force, we understand the value that Veterans and Reservists bring to the business through their learned skills, experience and strong character.

Saab has, and will continue to be, a strong supporter of Veterans, Defence partners and Defence Reservists.

Thank you to AEP, TEi Services and NEM Group for opening their doors yet again to the Veterans Manufacturing Tour on 30 August. An interactive group got to see how local businesses will be a great option for them post service.

The final stage of the Kidston Clean Energy Hub, the Kidston Wind Farm, has been declared a prescribed project, ensuring the delivery of the project that will create 200 construction jobs.
“The Kidston Wind Farm project is expected to create around 200 construction jobs and 10 permanent jobs from ongoing operations.” Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said TEi Services was one of the local suppliers working on the project. “TEi Services is a great example of a company that’s forming part of our new renewable energy manufacturing supply chain.”

This is a Great Story for Matt and the employment he gained but it is also a Great Story for the work TEi does for the Veteran Community.

At the link below, check it out.

Cubic Defence Australia was awarded 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 (𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘳𝘺) at the 2022 Prime Minister's National Veterans'​ Employment Program Awards in Canberra on 24 Nov 2022.  They were in this category with Serco Australia and Veolia Australia & New Zealand.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia has today signed a deed of agreement with Townsville based RGM Maintenance that will bring ongoing secure jobs, training and sovereign industrial capability to the region.
The deed brings together both organisations to work on Medium Heavy Capability services for logistic vehicles as part of the Australian Defence Force’s Land 121 program, at RGM premises in Townsville.

A veteran business that The Oasis Townsville is particularly proud of given we began the veteran employment journey together is about to sign on another veteran.

Josh Forrest of Voltec Maintenance has recently completed his first financial year of business and servicing over 200 sites.

RGM Maintenance rapidly repainted Bushmaster PMVs over a 24-hour period in preparation for transfer to the Ukrainian Government.

AEV receiving the Sovereign Industries Capabilities Priority Grant and have started the installation and commissioning of a 5 axis high speed water-jet cutter. This equipment has the ability to cut cold rolled armour, high tensile steels, mild steel, glass, ceramics, rubber and granite without heat and allows for immeditate welding or assembly.

Voltec hired and trained an ex 3rd Combat Signals Regiment Radio Operator, Luke Toms, who is now enrolled in the Certificate III in Fire Protection - Apprenticeship Pathway with Fire Industry Training.

The VBA Banner appeared in NEM Group Pty Ltd's display at the Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ASSCT) in Mackay.

Australian Expedition Vehicles – a Townsville-based mechanical engineering business – was announced 2021 Outstanding Veterans’ Employer of the Year by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Andrew Gee, and the federal Member for Herbert, Phil Thompson OAM on 25 November 2021.