Northern Territory manufacturers clean up with access to new laser technology
The Northern Territory manufacturing ecosystem will soon access the latest surface cleaning technology for metal and other materials through Darwin-based services company Wurrba (pronounced Wataba), with co-investment from the Northern Territory Government and managed by the AMGC.
Wurrba’s adoption and deployment of cutting-edge laser surface cleaning technology will mark the first time this calibre of technology is permanently available in the region, as companies previously required to engage with interstate or international suppliers for laser cleaning services.
Founded in 2020, Wurrba is an Indigenous-owned, managed, and operated project management business that delivers comprehensive end-to-end solutions in construction, remediation, and maintenance throughout the Northern Territory.
In collaboration with laser cleaning experts, Wurrba will also aim to tackle the challenges of operating such equipment in the heat and humidity of the Northern Territory, while also enhancing local staff’s skills in the operation, maintenance, and sustainment of the precision equipment.
“Laser cleaning will become a critical enabler for the NT’s manufacturing and wider industrial ecosystem,” explained Raphael Clarke, Founder of Wurrba. “Through the adoption and deployment of this advanced technology, Wurrba will be able to tackle everything from infrastructure remediation to equipment maintenance, remanufacturing and waste reduction faster, safer and more efficiently than ever before.”
In consultation with local customers and industry, a significant pipeline of work spans the maritime, defence, and local government sectors. This includes graffiti and lead paint removal, machinery servicing, and preventative maintenance for critical infrastructure. These opportunities ensure that more Territory dollars remain in the region to directly support local jobs.
Laser surface cleaning is superior to traditional cleaning methods such as media or ice blasting, as it offers unparalleled precision, efficiency, and environmental benefits. Unlike abrasive techniques that rely on physical contact, laser cleaning uses focused light to vaporise contaminants without damaging the underlying material or heating the treated surface. This makes it ideal for delicate surfaces, critical infrastructure, aerospace components, and medical devices.
Laser surface cleaning outperforms traditional methods by removing contaminants through ablation (vaporisation), resulting in undamaged and completely clean surfaces. It vaporises waste instantly, requiring no secondary cleanup, and captures particles through filtration. Ideal for welding, surface preparation, and precision applications, it ensures a smooth, pristine finish on metals and other materials.
Wurrba’s technology will also support the circular economy by extending the service life of high-value parts and minimising waste. Its versatility is ideal for tasks such as equipment maintenance, masonry cleaning, metal preparation, and lead paint removal. It also plays a vital role in disaster remediation, including flood clean-up, mould removal, and infrastructure restoration.
In partnership with Phoenix Laser Cleaning and Restoration and the Darwin Innovation Hub, Wurrba will utilise Territory skills and equipment to train staff and optimise the operational parameters of laser technologies for the local climate.
Wurrba’s $1.7m project, supported by $410,733 in co-investment from the Northern Territory Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Ecosystem Fund (AMEF), is expected to generate $28m in revenue and create 30 new jobs across administrative, managerial, and skilled roles within its first five years.
Administered by the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC), Wurrba’s project is the thirteenth business to receive co-investment through the AMEF, which launched in 2021. To date, all projects under the AMEF have spurred manufacturing activity, expected to create over 230 new jobs and generate more than $121m for the Territory’s economy in its first five years.