One of the world’s leading engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services companies, GHD, is celebrating 60 years of operating in Darwin and the Northern Territory.
Founded in 1928 in Melbourne, the company opened its doors in Darwin in 1956 and has been part of NT history ever since. Today, GHD employs more than 40 people in Darwin and Alice Springs as part of a network of 8500 people around the world.
Sean Tucker, GHD’s NT Manager, said that “GHD came to the Territory believing strongly in the potential of Northern Australia and the importance of developing its resources to benefit the country as a whole. As the local economy has grown and diversified, we have expanded the range of clients we serve and the breadth of services we provide. Our belief in the potential of the Northern Territory remains as strong today as it did 60 years ago.”
Many GHD people were personally affected by Cyclone Tracy and the company played a major role in the reconstruction of the city.
The company’s pioneering impact on the Territory is also evident in its work on the roads and drainage systems of central Darwin, the first pastoral and mining roads, and the first mining operations at Peko at Tennant Creek, the Moline and El Sharana mines east of Pine Creek as well as the bauxite deposits of Yirrkala-Gove.
According to Mr Tucker, a continuous local presence in the Territory has enabled GHD to forge many lasting relationships with private and public sector clients.
GHD has recently been involved in the design of water and power upgrades for Power and Water Corporation, road and bridges projects for the Department of Transport and the Department of Infrastructure, and environmental studies for Arafura Resources and Vista Gold Australia.
“We have been a strong advocate for the development of local people and promoting our local industry," Mr Tucker said. "I am also really proud of our support for a range of community organisations including Lions Club of Nightcliff’s Children’s Film Festival and Cancer Council’s Relay for Life."