Upgrades to Tennant Creek BP Service Station

MEDIA RELEASE

A major upgrade of the Tennant Creek BP Service Station will start at the end of September and take about three months, the CEO of IBA Retail Asset Management (IRAM) John Kop announced today.

Mr Kop announced that Darwin company M&J builders has been awarded the contract to refurbish the BP restroom area and toilets, replace much of the ceiling and upgrade security at the service station.

“We will keep disruption to a minimum during the rebuild and ensure fuel continues to be available 24 hours a day,” Mr Kop said.

The works include:

·       the restrooms area, including toilets, will be stripped down and modernised with new amenities

·       replacement of the damaged ceiling over the trading area

·       upgraded security, including safety screens for staff.

“The most visible change will be the refurbished restroom and toilets area. This part of the service station is run down and a regular source of complaints from customers.

“During construction, temporary toilets will be installed outside the service station,” Mr Kop said.

“There will be occasional short-term disruption to the trading area. We will provide advance notice of all works on our Facebook site,” Mr Kop said.

The construction works will reduce access to parts of the BP carpark for short periods.

“Our top priority during construction is the safety of our staff and customers, so we urge everyone to adhere to all safety warnings,” he said.

The work is scheduled to start at the end of September and be completed by the end of the year.

“Overall, the aim is better facilities for customers and staff and a better impression of Tennant Creek for visitors,” Mr Kop said.

M&J Builders is a Darwin-based company registered as a majority Indigenous-owned company with Supply Nation. The company prioritises Indigenous employment and will engage several local sub-contractors during the work.

M&J Builders was established 18 years ago and has substantial commercial construction experience, most recently as part of a joint venture upgrading the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art and Culture Centre in Tennant Creek.

Other projects over the past four years include the Lajamanu Health Clinic, Timber Creek caravan park reconstruction, facilities at the Kakadu Ranger Station, Somerville Disability Accommodation in Katherine and Palmerston, and accommodation refurbishments at Robertson Barracks.

IRAM is a subsidiary of Indigenous Business Australia and manages the Tennant Creek IGA and BP Service Station on behalf of co-owners the Julalikari Council Aboriginal Council and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).

Media contact: Jane Munday at True North Strategic Communication on 0427 880 083 or Elena Madden after 6 October on 0447 710 108.