One year after more than US$4m of Australian Government funding was announced, software solutions company MentorAPM and engineering consulting firm UNGANCO have reached the halfway mark of an asset management plan aimed at building resilience among indigenous communities in Cape York, Australia. With a total of nine participating councils, four have begun implementation of the technology, ushering First Nations into a digitised era that will help reduce the risk and minimise the impact of cyclones and other large scale natural disasters.
Alex Ung, founder of UNGANCO, said, “Through our partnership with MentorAPM, we look forward to continuing our critical work in year two and showcasing firsthand as the team visits for Ozwater this week.”
MentorAPM is a US-based company providing software solutions across both machine and human assets, cutting costs and avoiding preventable catastrophes. The partnership between MentorAPM and UNGANCO was launched last year to establish a digitally supported asset management programme for First Nations communities located in remote coastal regions across Far North Queensland, an area historically marked by severe flooding associated with tropical cyclones. By taking systems online, the partners will help secure community services and infrastructure before disaster strikes, reducing the amount of time indigenous communities can recover from natural disasters.
Tacoma Zach, founder and CEO of MentorAPM added, “By introducing these communities to asset management technology, we are hoping to enhance disaster preparedness. Most do not have access to resources available in more densely populated areas, so it is important these types of programmes are supported by the government.”
UNGANCO is an indigenous-owned engineering consulting firm committed to working with organisations facing short-term resourcing constraints. Its primary focus is within the government and utilities sector, specialising in the Asset Management and SCADA fields. The company became the first MentorAPM representative in Australia and New Zealand in 2021.
This week, the partners will attend Ozwater — Australia’s premier water exhibition and conference held in Sydney — celebrating two years of working together, as well as a safe close to this year’s official cyclone season.
