Indigenous-owned company Bridgeman Agencies is establishing an advanced metal manufacturing and fabrication facility in Townsville to help boost the local construction and defence industries.
The project, estimated to cost $1.7 million, received funding from the Queensland Government through the Industry Partnership Program (IPP).
The new facility is expected to create 14 jobs and position the company to expand its supply chain into the defence and aerospace industries in North Queensland.
Adam Sarota, the owner and managing director of Bridgeman, said the expansion project will develop the company’s manufacturing capability, deliver positive economic outcomes and result in the creation of new jobs in Townsville and Northern Australia.
“We are committed to capitalising on regional strengths to build capability, sustainability, and resilience. Our Townsville site will enable Bridgeman to create further full-time employment opportunities for Townsville and local communities for the long term,” Sarota said.
“As a Supply Nation certified Indigenous company, Bridgeman is dedicated to encouraging partnerships between industries and other Indigenous companies along the supply chain and working alongside Queensland Government agencies to deliver training and career opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he added.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the Bridgeman project will build on the pipeline of projects taking shape with support from the IPP, including Vecco Group’s vanadium battery electrolyte manufacturing facility in Townsville.
The IPP is part of the Queensland Jobs Fund and is focused on growing priority industries, strengthening local supply chains, encouraging collaboration between all levels of government and industry, and leveraging private sector investment.
Since its launch in 2021, the program has facilitated a total of more than $1.1 billion worth of projects and is expected to help create more than 1,850 ongoing jobs.
“Importantly, the program paves the way for companies to leverage further funding from sources such as Commonwealth Government programs – ensuring our Queensland industries get their fair share of these national funding programs,” Deputy Premier Miles said.
“With our $53.5 million boost to make this program even bigger and better, we’ll be seizing more opportunities and supporting more projects in emerging industries that will supercharge Queensland’s economic future.”
