Global engineering giant Bechtel has announced that Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation's Equipment Services business, NYFL-Tutt Bryant, has been selected to supply crawler cranes for the Pluto Train 2 project.
Bechtel was selected by energy giant Woodwide to deliver the engineering, construction and commissioning of work for the expansion of the Pluto LNG project, located 190km offshore north-west of Karratha, Western Australia.
The joint venture between NYFL, the Traditional Owner representative body for the Woodside-operated North West Shelf project since 1998 and Tutt Bryant, the Australian construction machinery supplier is designed to not only leverage the expertise of both entities but also deliver social and economic empowerment for the Ngarda-ngarli Aboriginal community.
The contract announced this week includes the provision of eight 200-300 tonnes crawler cranes for the Karratha construction site, with NYFL-Tutt Bryant responsible for their service and maintenance for the duration of the contract. The company will support the daily operations of the project, including rebar and civil works, structural steel installation, and pipework.
Bechtel's site manager, Terry Klowss, said the company is committed to creating new opportunities for traditional business owners.
"In Q1 alone, nearly 40 local businesses and more than 20 Indigenous businesses provided materials and services to the project. This level of engagement represents Bechtel's ongoing commitment to support local and Indigenous businesses, both through increased opportunities for all and investment in the local economy," he said.
NYFL-Tutt Bryant chief executive Sean-Paul Stephens said the contract would help support Aboriginal people across the region.
"Our business model is based on social enterprise, which means the profits we make are put back into the community. This contract is another important way for us to provide employment and training for local people, but also to support other important programs, like the not-for-profit supermarket in Roebourne and youth sports," he said.
Kevin Guiness, a NYFL-Tutt Bryant Director and Yindjibarndi man with lifelong connections to Roebourne, said contracts such as this help support Traditional Owner organisations to communities.
"When we get a contract like this, it can help us get more young Roebourne people into work. We've already got a few young fellas working for NYFL-Tutt Bryant, which makes us proud. We're really looking forward to this partnership with Bechtel," he said.
NYFL-Tutt Bryant's social enterprise business model means that the profits they make will be put back into the community, supporting not-for-profit programs such as youth sports and a local supermarket. The partnership between NYFL-Tutt Bryant and Bechtel will help support Aboriginal people in the region, providing employment and training opportunities for local people.