As NAIDOC Week 2024 focuses attention on Indigenous communities and cultures, we’re proud to celebrate the success of our joint venture partnership with Wajarri Enterprises Limited (WEL).

WEL is a critical partner in several contracts in the central-west region of WA – including with the international SKA Observatory (SKAO).

The SKAO is building the SKA-Low telescope at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. The Wajarri Yamaji are the Traditional Owners and native title holders of the observatory site.

General Manager, Living Services Gary Bradford – one of two Ventia representatives on the four-member JV Board – said the partnership was designed from the ground up to foster intergenerational benefit and sustainable economic opportunities.

“In the immediate term, the partnership was awarded an SKAO contract to  manage the accommodation village for those constructing the SKA-Low telescope over the next five years,” Gary said.

“But I have every confidence the partnership will be much broader and longer than that.

Hard-wired into the JV is a commitment to not only employing local people but providing ongoing training and personal development opportunities, actively seeking out local suppliers for products and services, and supporting WEL in its future objectives.

Fundamental to this step-change in Indigenous engagement and empowerment is the ‘partnership approach’ – an evolution in mindset from doing good things for Indigenous communities to doing great things with them.

Already, more than half of those employed at the SKA-Low accommodation village are Wajarri Yamaji, and the number is growing along with the village.

Significantly, the contract for managing the accommodation village was awarded by the SKAO directly to the JV. This contrasts with the industry-standard Indigenous engagement model where the primary contractor sub-contracts functions – primarily employment – to traditional owners.

The SKA-Low construction village was gifted a Wajarri name - Nyingari Ngurra - which means ‘Zebra Finch Home’ in Wajarri language. The Zebra Finch is native to the area.

The Ventia-WEL JV was borne out of a community engagement workshop organised by Ventia in Geraldton in 2023 and has been driven enthusiastically by WEL.

It brings together the strengths and expertise of both entities to create significant benefits for them and other stakeholders.

Ensuring the inclusion of residents, businesses and community organisations across the region contributes to significant economic growth and job creation.

One objective is to spend 20% of the entire project budget with local businesses, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

The JV’s focus on community and collaboration is reflected in its brand, co-designed by Ventia’s Indigenous engagement team TRECCA and WEL.  

It features Wajarri language and traditional colours. The tagline for its village, which provides accommodation for SKA-Low telescope workers is ‘Feels like ngurra’ (home).