Knowledge Water | Northrop

Direct Client Knowledge Water
Architect Upside Architecture
Year 2023
Location Mandjawuy, East Arnhem Land, NT

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Partnership

Northrop has been proud to collaborate with the community in close partnership with Upside Architecture since 2018, providing all engineering services to support this impactful project. The Indigenous community of Mandjawuy in East Arnhem Land is taking remarkable strides to secure the prosperity, independence, and education of both their community and future generations.

Project

The Yolngu people, who call this community home, have founded the Arnhem Beverage Company, a majority Indigenous-owned business with strong social objectives. The company is packaging pure water from the natural spring at the heart of the community and selling it across Australia under the brand Knowledge Water.

A significant portion of the profits from this venture will be reinvested into the local community and dedicated to training Indigenous teachers.

Delivery

After years of planning, the business officially launched in August 2021. Water is now being transported from Mandjawuy to a partner facility in Perth, where it is packaged in environmentally-friendly paperboard cartons.
With funding from the Australian Federal Government, the first stage of a production and office complex has been built in Darwin and is set to be assembled and installed in Mandjawuy. This complex will include a tanker filling station, modular workshops, and office spaces—further supporting employment and education services within the community.

Impact

The Knowledge Water project is empowering the Mandjawuy community, fostering independence, and creating a sustainable future for both current and future generations.
At Northrop, we believe that actions speak louder than words. Our continued involvement in the Knowledge Water project reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation and to creating opportunities for Indigenous communities.