Our Story
Territory owned, Territory operated
WTD Constructions is locally owned and operated by long term Territorian, Peter Fixter. Meaning local jobs, local engagement of subcontractors and suppliers and most importantly boosting the local economy every step of the way.
Our team have been delivering construction projects across the Northern Territory for more than 23 years in over 60 town and remote community locations.
During this time, we have developed long standing and valued working relationships with remote community organisations, and councils and with both the Department of Infrastructure Planning and Logistics and the Department of Housing.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS FOCUSSED ON REALISTIC INITIATIVES & RESULTS
We are a community focussed organisation delivering consistent and realistic Indigenous engagement initiatives that aligns with both WTD Constructions core values and Government policies and objectives.
Our values are a reflection of the way we deliver our projects by ensuring exceptional results, whilst building long term sustainable business relationships. We maintain a culture that is driven by respect and in consultation with the traditional owners of remote communities.
Every project we undertake gives us the opportunity to engage local residents, including those that were previously employed by us on past projects and thus further cementing trust and an ongoing commitment to local employment and training in the community.
Making a Difference.
Staff Testimonies
Robert Scanlon, 3rd Year Apprentice - started 2021
“My name is Robert Scanlon, I grew up in Kununurra, knee bone community on my family’s block. I enjoy fishing, hunting and playing AFL. I’m a 3rd year apprentice studying carpentry with 2 years of plumbing and 5 years of welding experience under my belt. My job as an apprentice is pretty simple, to learn as much as I can off the tradesmen I’m surrounded by. Giving everything a go even if I’m not sure on how to do. I tend to learn things faster by physically doing it and learning through my mistakes. I’ve got good tradesman out bush that really take the time to show me how to do things right way. I’ve worked in a lot of different places through out the NT, Gapuwiyak is where I’ve been based the majority of the time but I’ve work in Baniyala, Milingimbi, Nhulunbuy, Ramingining, Tiwi islands, Elcho island to name a few.
What inspired me to do this job is knowing that after my trade is complete I’ll have a qualification for life and having the skills to do things in my life outside of work. In this job I get to see a lot more of Australia that not many other people get to see, which I think it’s a privilege in itself. I love going to new places, getting to know the locals, buying art work from indigenous artists to take home. I also love how flexible the working environment is with WTD. I come out to work flat out, blow some steam off, then I get to go home and relax instead of just having weekends off.
It feels good giving back to my people, building them new homes to live in. I’ve started to learn the language so I can speak more of my native tongue.
Best part of my job would have to be doing bondor, framing up roof trusses or machine operating. If it’s got wheels and a full tank of gas, I can drive anything.
My advice for anyone thinking of doing a trade is get in early, start young, be a sponge, take everything in and don’t be afraid to ask questions no matter how silly they may sound. Just have a go!!
My experience as an apprentice is that you have to start somewhere. You have to do the time before you are able to the big jobs. I’ve done my fair share of digging holes by hand or unblocking toilets but that’s all part of the journey.
The biggest thing I’ve learnt working with WTD Construction is that you have to really think outside of the box everyday. Because working out bush we don’t have the luxury of a Bunnings down the road or a mechanic to fix something when it breaks down so it’s really taught me to think big and find a way to make it work.
I love the line of work I do and I’m happy with my Career choice.”
Wilson Bidgingal, Trainee - started 2022
”My name is Wilson. I’ve lived in Gapuwiyak my whole life. I’ve been with WTD for 2 years now. I love walking with my dog GingerRay, playing cards, and swimming at my waterhole.
My father was the biggest inspiration on why I wanted to apply for this job. He was a builder and built a large majority of the community I grew up in. So it’s nice to see all the work he’s done and I want to continue what he started and help my community grow anyway I can.
My favourite part of this job is helping anyone and everything I can. I love learning new skills everyday and practicing old skills I learnt from my father. I also love WTD’s chef. She makes us mob the best lunch’s everyday. I’m very grateful.
My advice for anyone thinking of joining a trade is definitely go for it. If you like being outdoors and learning new things it’s definitely a good career choice to make.
My favourite job to do is putting in windows, galleries, louvers, rolling flywire onto the screens then installing the screens.
My experience as a trainee is that I always put my hand up to do any job that gets given to me to the best of my ability, and do it with a smile on my face. I worked with the local shire mob for 3 years before joining WTD, doing maintenance around Gapuwiyak. I was very limited in my roll with the shire so I’m happy I got the chance to join WTD because it’s given me more opportunity to learn and grow.
Terrence Miljko, Labourer - started April 2024
”Hi, my name is Terrence Miljko. I’m from Galiwinku but moved to Milingimbi 4 months ago with my wife to be closer to her family. I have always lived in remote communities. I like building things, working with my hands and being active, learning new skills and travelling. My father is a pilot, so growing up I got to travel Australia with him, flying to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Cairns.
Before moving from Galiwinku, I was teaching woodworking at the community centre while also working as a labourer doing concreting and blockwork and laying bitumen. I’ve been a part of the CDP (Community Development Program) for 9 months in both Galiwinku and Milingimbi.
I like beach walks and fishing, so on days off I go out with everyone from the CDP, as well as playing or watching some football.
Working in construction and with WTD lets me learn new things everyday and earn good money for my family. My favourite job so far has been the roofing and cladding, and I can’t wait to get more training.
Richard Wunungmurra, Trainee - started 2022
“Hello! My name is Richie. I’m born and bred in Gapuwiyak.
What inspired me to take this job is:
Number 1 - good money for me and my family.
Number 2 - I like to learn new things from people and pass that knowledge onto my son. I’ve been working with WTD for 3 years now. I love coming to work, joking around with the boys, playing tricks on them but also getting the work done. I love looking at what I’ve accomplished after a hard days work and feeling proud that I was apart of that.
My favourite job would have to be driving the concrete truck or painting. I feel like an artist when I have a brush in my hand. The coolest thing I’ve learnt from my time with WTD is the process of building a house start to finish. I now know what job comes next and the one after that. I love being ready for the next job ahead.
The WTD crew out here in gapuwiyak feels like a family. I spend more time with them than my own family so you get to know everyone pretty well and I’ve made strong bonds with a lot of people. I also like teaching people that don’t know my language new words or sentences. So we can communicate like this. This makes me happy. One only thing I don’t like is when when people go on break back to Darwin or go on holiday they don’t take me with them. I count the days until they fly back.
I never had a job before working with WTD, so I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given and just wish I had started earlier.”
