An Indigenous-owned business in the remote far South Coast town of Eden in NSW, is supplying much needed demountable buildings to construction sites and festivals.

The Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, through its social enterprise Mundabaa Constructions, kick started its venture with funding from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C).

Twofold Works Supervisor and board member, Dennis Arvidson, said the organisation approached the Department for funding after identifying an opportunity to create local Aboriginal employment.

‘We could see a good opportunity to build and hire out transportable buildings for upcoming infrastructure projects,’ he said.

‘The remote location of Eden has a very limited supply of buildings available for hire. Contractors often have to hire them from Canberra-based companies and pay to transport them from 3 hours away and back again.’

The funding from the Department paid for the materials, training, labour and construction of a toilet block, office and kitchen.

There were 5 local Aboriginal men who were recruited for the project and they have secured ongoing employment with Mundabaa Constructions.

‘It's been a great project for Twofold and the community,’ Mr Arvidson said.

‘New skills were learned by several employees and there's a real sense of pride in the demountables we've built so far.’

Mr Arvidson said an Aboriginal trainee who joined the project after his high school told him they had ‘nothing further to offer’ had completed a 1-year certificate course in the space of 6 months. He is set to do a carpentry apprenticeship with Mundabaa in the near future.

Twofold CEO Chris Bird said one of the demountables had been sold and the other 2 were available for rent.

‘The sale of 1 building to contractors on a local construction project has ensured sustainable, ongoing employment for 9 workers to build more transportable facilities to sell or hire out,’ he said.

‘There are also plans to support future local events as well as generate income using the facilities for camping on local Indigenous owned land.

‘We are hoping that, over time, we will develop it further and create some sustainable long term employment and training opportunities.

‘This is what Twofold is fundamentally all about. We really appreciate the support we received. We are now looking to expand our operations to a site in the industrial estate in Eden.’