2026 Developing Northern Australia Conference
PEOPLE, PLACE AND WORK PRESENTATION
Centred Solutions was selected to present at DNA26 under the Growing Northern Talent theme.
Rather than present opinion, we went back through our own records. Over 350 individual engagements across northern Australia, including staff at every level, boards, funders, delivery partners and community members. Every response was coded against a single framework so the findings could be compared.
WHAT WE FOUND
Workforce constraints in remote and regional organisations are overwhelmingly not about location or pay.
Just 5.6 per cent of what people raised was about remoteness or remuneration. The remaining 94.4 per cent was about the human ecosystem around the work: how organisations are led, how roles are understood, whether policy exists in practice, and whether issues raised get addressed.
The pattern held across government, community organisations and industry. It held for employees describing their own jobs and, independently, for funders and partners describing the organisations they work with.
WHY IT MATTERS
We also compared what people told us in strengths-based work against what we later established in independent investigations and crisis management. The subject matter was the same, it's just in investigations and crisis management, no one had acted.
Crisis is rarely a new set of problems. It is the same problems, later.
Presentation slides available below.
Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation
SUPPLY CHAIN REVIEW
The IOT RDO and the Christmas Island Business Association (CIBA) joined in partnership to commission a review of the IOT supply chain. Centred Solutions were engaged by the two organisations to conduct the review, and provide clarity and solutions to the complex and challenging regional supply chain.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Centred Solutions worked with the IOT Supply Chain Review Joint Committee to develop a review of the IOT supply chain with a set of recommendations, as well as an implementation plan and evaluation framework.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Reliability and efficiency of supply chains are improved to better support the movement of people, goods and services into and across the IOT, resulting in business and development opportunities, and improvements in liveability for our communities.
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Maruku Arts
INTERIM CEO SUPPORT
Maruku Arts is one of the largest and most successful Indigenous owned and operated organisations in Australia. For over 30 years, Maruku has operated as a not-for-profit art and craft corporation comprising approximately 900 Aboriginal artists, and is proudly owned and operated by Anangu. Maruku’s vision is to keep culture alive and strong through art, craft and organic experiences.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Maruku Arts approached Centred Solutions to provide interim CEO support, following the passing of their former CEO. The organisation had been without leadership for several months, and the Board required support from an interim CEO to stabilise, support and lead the organisation through this complex period. Centred Solutions worked with the Maruku Board of Directors to provide governance and organisation support through a period of transition.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Empower Maruku Arts with the right governance tools to continue operations, led by a confident leadership team.
Tourism Central Australia
VISITOR AND CORPORATION OFFICE LOCATION REVIEW
Tourism Central Australia (TCA) is the peak regional tourism organisation across Central Australia. The organisation has a vision to grow new markets and aspire to world class standards through a refresh and refocus of the tourism experience.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
This project examined best practice visitor information centres (VICs) for the future and engaged broadly with members and stakeholders to determine key attributes of a VIC with a focus on location.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Develop a detailed report outlining short and long-term options for the TCA VIC in Alice Springs.
Indian Ocean Territories Regional Development Organisation
STRATEGIC REGIONAL PLAN
The Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) Regional Development Organisation (RDO) is one of 52 organisations located across Australia that are part of the Regional Development Australia network. The IOT RDO team is comprised of local leaders and passionate advocates working to facilitate sustainable development in the IOT, and to build strong and confident local economies on both Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Centred Solutions worked with the IOT RDO to develop a three-to-five-year Strategic Regional Plan.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Develop a plan to inform and guide future priorities for the organisation outlining the region’s vision, ambition and strategic priorities for all stakeholders including governments, potential investors and communities.
Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation
LOCAL DECISION MAKING
As one of the largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations in Australia, Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation (JCAC) has a long and proud record of community service delivery in Tennant Creek and the broader Barkly region.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In August 2021, JCAC and the Northern Territory (NT) Government agreed to commence Local Decision Making (LDM) agreement negotiations under the NT Government’s Local Decision Making Policy. LDM is underpinned by the principle of self determination for Aboriginal communities and seeks to transition services and programs to community control where appropriate and desired by traditional owners and community leaders.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Represent the needs and aspirations of JCAC in negotiating a LDM agreement with the NT Government and other stakeholders.
Department for Territory Families, Housing and Communities
VISITOR PARKS EVALUATION
The Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities (the Department) funds two visitor parks in the Northern Territory: Apmere Mwerre Visitor Park (AMVP) in Alice Springs, and YiSSA Short-stay Accommodation in Darwin. The Department engaged Centred Solutions to evaluate both park’s operational models and make a series of recommendations.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The project involved an evaluation of both AMVP and YiSSA, to determine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the short-stay visitor park model in delivering a true short stay service in a climate where situational homelessness is increasingly impacting demand for these services. The evaluation informs best practice for current and future visitor parks, as well projecting future demand in different regional areas.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE
Develop an evaluation report based on analysis and findings from a review of operational and administrative data, engagement with service providers, staff and residents, and a broad demographic analysis of trends across the Territory.
Numerous clients
WORKPLACE ASSESSMENTS AND WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS
A Workplace Assessment is an honest, independent read on how a team is really tracking. Most leaders can sense when something is not quite right, but cannot always name it. We help you understand what is really going on early, while the situation can still be improved and trust can still be rebuilt.
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We hold confidential, one-on-one conversations with staff, using a structured, strengths-based approach that draws out the real story and helps people feel genuinely heard. We then set out clearly what we found, with practical recommendations your leadership reviews and commits to before anything is finalised.
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What you get:
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Confidential, independent conversations, so staff feel safe to speak openly
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A strengths-based approach, so teams feel supported rather than judged
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Two aligned reports, a confidential report for leadership and a report to share with all staff
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A fast, proportionate process, with a full assessment and report in as little as two weeks
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Clear, achievable actions your leadership has already agreed to
Who it is for: Government, local government and non-government organisations that want to understand and strengthen a team early, before issues escalate into formal HR or IR matters.
Ask us about a Workplace Assessment today.
Numerous clients
WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS
When a matter has become serious, it needs to be examined properly. A Workplace Investigation is a formal, independent process for looking into specific allegations and reporting clear findings you can rely on.
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Our investigations are led by Director Mark Coffey, who holds a Private Agent Licence and a Bachelor of Policing (Investigations). Mark served 22 years with the Northern Territory Police, including as Assistant Commissioner, before a senior executive career in the Australian Public Service. That experience means matters are handled with rigour, care and impartiality.
Our process is strict and defensible:
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Built on procedural fairness, so the findings hold up to scrutiny
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Confidential interviews conducted fairly with all parties
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Evidence gathered, secured and tested against the allegations
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Clear findings reported on the balance of probabilities
Suited to:
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Complaints of misconduct or inappropriate behaviour
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Code of conduct matters
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Grievances that need an independent, arms-length review
Talk to us about a Workplace Investigation.