On November 1 2024, Tutt Bryant celebrated the grand opening of a state-of-the-art facility at Naval Base, in Western Australia. This significant milestone brings together the three divisions of the Tutt Bryant Group: Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift’s main base in WA, Tutt Bryant Equipment’s undercarriage business, and Tutt Bryant Hire’s Kwinana branch.
The opening event, themed “Coming Together” (danjoo koorliny in traditional Noongar language), also marked the announcement of the joint venture with Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation (GKB), one of the six representative regional corporations of the Noongar people across the south-western region of Western Australia.
Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation
The Gnaala Karla Booja region refers to the Noongar language or dialectical groups of the Binjareb/Pinjarup, Wilman, Ganeang, and Wardandi. Towards the east of the Gnaala Karla Booja region is the Balladong region and down south is the Wagyl Kaip region.
The Gnaala Karla Booja region encompasses the towns of Bunbury, Capel, Donnybrook, Balingup, Wickepin, Narrogin, Williams, Mundijong, Kwinana, Brookton, Pingelly, Wagin, Harvey, Collie, Pinjarra, Mandurah, and Boddington. GKB’s vision is to provide support for its members in education and training, as well as community development projects.
With visionary leadership and a steadfast commitment to excellence, this joint venture aims to create prosperity and wellbeing, maximising the social and economic benefits for GKB members and the wider Aboriginal community. The joint venture’s goals include delivering employment and training outcomes for Aboriginal people and creating positive commercial outcomes and support for GKB-owned businesses.
“We were honoured to have the former Treasurer of Western Australia, Ben Wyatt, conduct the proceedings as the MC. The event commenced with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Noongar Elder Barry Winmar, who is also the Deputy Mayor of City of Kwinana, followed by a traditional smoking ceremony,” said Neville James, Executive Manager – Operations of Tutt Bryant Group.
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including the Mayor of Kwinana, Peter Feasey, the Mayor of the City of Cockburn, Logan Howlett, the board of GKB, representatives from Defence, industry leaders, supporters, and friends.
The Naval Base facility
The facility has been purpose-built for Tutt Bryant and covers a total area of more than 42,000 square metres. Approximately 3100 square metres is undercover and the remainder being hardstand featuring wash bays and carpark.
The development comprises several key elements, including a two-storey office building, a workshop featuring ground floor and mezzanine facilities, two washdown bays, and a separate office building designated for the larger washdown bay. Additionally, external works encompass the construction of hardstand areas around the workshop and two-storey office building, and throughout the site.
Celebrating the opening
A cultural performance by the Wadumbah Aboriginal Dance Group added a vibrant touch to the celebration. It was followed by inspiring speeches from Chen Wei Ng, Managing Director of Tutt Bryant Group, and Bruce Jorgensen, Chief Executive Officer of GKB. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was a momentous occasion, led by Mayor Feasey, John Penny, Chair of GKB, and Roland Ng, Chair of Tutt Bryant Group.
Guests were treated to an Indigenous-inspired afternoon tea and had the opportunity to inspect some of Tutt Bryant’s latest equipment, including the new mobile battery energy storage system, fully battery electric crane, self-propelled modular transporter, and modular hydraulic jacking system.
“We are excited about the future and the positive impact this facility and our joint venture with GKB will have on our community. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this significant event,” said Neville.
Tutt Bryant’s Naval Base facility in brief:
- Two-storey office building
- General offices for staff from Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift, Tutt Bryant Hire and Tutt Bryant Equipment
- Boardroom and meeting / training rooms
- Lunchroom and amenities
Workshop with ground and mezzanine floor facilities
- 10 work bays
- Service pit
- Secured storage
- Office and crib facilities
- Changerooms
- Warehouse racking
- Track press
- 12.5t overhead crane
Large washdown bay
- 1000 square metres built to AQIS requirements
- For own use as well as external use
Washdown bay office
- To support the large washdown bay operations, including office space for Australia Biosecurity inspectors
Smaller washdown bay
- For own use to wash smaller items, such as general equipment.
Allowances have been made for future upgrades such as solar and other renewable energy, battery storage, etc.