Construction
Bagala Community Store
Completed 2018
AIG’s construction arm Create Housing and Construction was engaged by Bagala Aboriginal Corporation to build a larger, newer community store for the community of Barunga. The new store supports an increase in long-term employment for the local community and surrounding area.
A key upgrade was the large cold store facilities which means a wider range of fresh food can be sold at the store and ultimately improving the availability of fresh, nutritious food. A popular tourist spot for people attending the Barunga festival, the new store is attractive and encourages people to buy from the store.
Katherine Housing Project
Completed 2018
This was a successful commercial venture designed to enhance AIG’s worth by expanding our residential property portfolio. There were no immediate social benefits intended for this project, and is a great example of AIG’s capacity to generate wealth.
AIG’s construction arm Create Housing and Construction built three identical houses (except for the façade) designed to meet the specific design requirements for defence personnel. Rent from these properties continues to be a valuable source of wealth for AIG. This style of wealth creation is something AIG would be willing to replicate in the future.
Bradshaw Workers Camp
Completed 2017
Bradshaw and Timber Creek Construction and Resources Company (Bradshaw Construction) is a 100% Aboriginal owned business and that operates in the Timber Creek region. AIG’s construction arm Create Housing and Construction and Bradshaw Construction worked together to secure funding from the Aboriginal Benefit Account (PM&C) in 2015 and project manage building the workers accommodation.
For AIG this project had a dual purpose; to support accommodation for Indigenous workers in the Timber Creek area, and test modular housing designs that AIG has been working on since 2016. The workers accommodation has a separate managers house with two bedrooms and a bathroom and 12 single rooms with ensuites for the workers, a commercial kitchen and a laundry.
Wirib General Store
Completed 2017
Gunamu Aboriginal Corporation asked AIG to provide high level project management support which included grant applications. The old store was too small given the tourist traffic through the store and the size of the community. It was lacking fundamental elements such large fridge and freezer capacity which meant only a small range of fresh produce could be stocked.
AIG’s construction arm Create Housing and Construction used their modular design to build a larger store with larger fridges and freezers, a commercial kitchen and bakery. The floor space as bigger and a large covered verandah was built to encourage people to stop, relax and stock up from the store.
Energy Efficiency Project
Powering community stores comes at a huge cost which is why we started the Energy Efficiency Project.
The biggest operating expense for the Wirib Store and Tourism Park in Timber Creek and the Bagala Community Store in Barunga was their power consumption. Through consultation with store owners, it was decided solar power would be an achievable way to reduce operating costs.
Funded by an ABA grants from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the solar panels were put on the roof of the stores with the aim of:
- Reducing electricity costs for the Wirib Store and Tourism Park
- Investment in Indigenous owned business
- Improved employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal community members
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emission through using renewable energy
Wirib Store solar panels were installed in 2019 and Bagala Community Store panels were installed in 2020.
