Belyuen Council's Workshop is run by Mark Perejuan and Rex Sing.

• Brakes
• Clutches
• Gearboxes
• Diffs
• Engines
• Automotive Electrical
• Vehicle's and Stationary
• Machinery of any size

Minor Fabrication and Construction or repairs.

People living outside of Belyuen Community need to first contact Belyuen Council office 89785061 / 89785071 to get a quote or to make a booking.

MECHANIC WORKSHOP

In November 2003 Council employed a Workshop Manager. The Manager is a qualified Diesel mechanic who had also experience with Essential Service Work, Aerodrome Reporting and minor housing repairs and maintenance.

The Workshop was part of the Community Services program. It was separated after Council prepared their Three Year Business Plan and identified the Workshop as a potential business.

At this stage the Workshop is not running on its own due to a number of factors (1) Workshop needs to have more equipment so that a greater range of work can be undertaken. Council has requested that some of the 2004/2005 Capital Infrastructure Grant be used to purchase items such as wheel balancer and tyre changer. There is also a need for equipment to service automatic and standard vehicles and to have the Workshop licensed to do Vehicle Registration checks. (2) There is not enough work within the community itself at this stage ie not enough Council and private vehicles and equipment. Council has an agreement with Darwin Regional CDEP Office where CDEP equipment and the vehicle is maintained through the Workshop. Council has approached the Department of Health and Community Services to discuss the possibility of Council servicing the Clinic vehicle. A similar approach will be made to the Education Department in regard to the School vehicle. Council needs to work out a plan to pick up work outside the community without compromising the need to have a Permit to enter Aboriginal Land.

Council is aware of these factors and is working towards ways to address them. The Workshop needs to be developed at a pace that Council can be involved in and keep control on so that it also becomes a learning process for everyone.

Council has recently signed up one of the Council workers as an Apprentice under the Mechanic. This was done through New Apprenticeships Centre with Advanced Training International as the Training Provider. It is possible that a second one will be signed up in 2005.

Having a Mechanic in the Community has been beneficial for Council, CDEP and community people. Vehicles and equipment can be maintained regularly which helps lengthen their life span and general repairs can be undertaken quickly and without having to take the vehicle outside the community. This has been a costly practice especially if the vehicle can not be driven and had to be picked up by a car trailer.