Hardy Fencing: engineering safe solutions for remote communities
Kaltukatjara, also known as Docker River, is one of Australia’s most remote communities, located in the far south-west corner of the Northern Territory, near the Western Australia border.
On the traditional lands of the Pitjantjatjara people in the Petermann Ranges, the community has a population of around 230 people maintaining strong connections to Country, Tjukurpa (law and culture) and traditional land management practices.
Caring for Elders on Country while navigating the realities of life in a remote desert environment requires innovative solutions. A new aged care facility recently incorporated a specialised snake-proof fence designed to provide greater safety and comfort for its residents and staff.
The need for the fence was driven by the presence of one of Australia’s most dangerous snakes, the Mulga Snake or King Brown.
The Mulga Snake is the country’s largest venomous land snake, it can grow to over three metres in length and deliver a very large venom yield in a single bite. Strongly associated with Central Australia desert Country, the species has the widest distribution of any snake species in Australia.
Delivering a solution to this unique challenge was Hardy Fencing, an Indigenous-owned business based in Alice Springs, working alongside prime contractor Intract Australia, one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-owned construction and maintenance companies.
Skilled in delivering fencing solutions in remote and challenging terrain, Hardy Fencing was well equipped for the project. The business previously built a world-first 100% wallaby-proof fence at the RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine in the Northern Territory, helping prevent wildlife from entering the airfield.
Established initially in the 1980’s, Hardy Fencing was acquired by its current owners in 2019 after providing sub-contracting services to the business for some time.
Under the leadership of Director Sydney Maloney, the business expanded significantly, delivering projects across remote communities and regional areas throughout in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.
Hardy Fencing provides all forms of fencing, security fencing, fence hire, civil construction works on roads and airstrips and excavation works.
Like many businesses, Hardy struggled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but ultimately managed to sustain the momentum and project pipeline.
The business has since expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of Ross Engineering, a specialist steel fabrication, structural and mechanical engineering company, further enabling Hardy to deliver on complex and diverse projects.
Mark Bruno, Chief Executive Officer, said the Kaltukatjara project required specialised engineering due to the presence of snakes and other reptiles that could cause harm to elderly residents.
“It was great to work with Intract Australia in delivering the project at Kaltukatjara. Both businesses have specific skills to be able to manage complex project requirements in remote and difficult terrain.”
“It is part of our work and nothing for us to travel a thousand kilometres in any direction from Alice.”
Hardy Fencing now employs around 30 people and is focused on creating employment pathways and increasing Indigenous representation and participation across both businesses.
Delivering practical solutions to unique challenges on Country will continue to drive strong demand for Hardy Fencing services.
Projects such as the Kaltukatjara snake-proof fence show how combining local knowledge with engineering expertise ensures the protection of surrounding wildlife and the safety, wellbeing and quality of life for remote communities.
