Keeping communities connected: How Banarang is creating opportunities while keeping people safe - NAB
20 October 2026
First Nations Affairs
When most people think about traffic control, they picture someone holding a stop/go sign on the side of the road.
For Kenneth "Ken" Weldon and the team at Banarang Aboriginal Corporation, it's something much bigger than that.
It's about creating meaningful employment opportunities, building safer communities and proving what's possible when an Indigenous-owned business is given the opportunity to grow.
Since launching in 2017, Banarang has grown from a small operation into a business employing around 200 people and delivering traffic management services for major infrastructure and utility projects across New South Wales.
For Business Manager Zack Angelovski, who joined Banarang as one of its first employees, the business has always been about people.
" We’re a people-first business," Zack said.
" Our focus has always been on creating opportunities, building a strong culture and looking after the people who are part of Banarang."
Banarang founder Ken Weldon is passionate about creating meaningful employment and new opportunities for First Nations people.
That people-first approach has helped drive the company's growth and recently led to what Banarang describes as an industry-first First Nations Tier 1 traffic management position on a government panel.
As the business expanded, access to capital became increasingly important.
"We've finally got ourselves a proper bank to support us," Zack said.
"For a business like ours, there's so much involved before we go to the road and start doing our job."
Banarang's relationship with NAB has continued to grow in recent years. NAB banker Yan Chen has been part of that journey, working closely with Zack and the Banarang team as the business has expanded and its banking needs have grown. NAB's Indigenous Business Guarantee has also helped connect the business with additional specialist First Nations banking support.
"When I saw what Banarang had built and heard where they wanted to take the business next, I knew there was an opportunity for us to do more," NAB Business Banking Executive Zoran Talevski said.
"Their ambition is infectious. It inspired me to bring the right people together across NAB and make sure we were doing everything we could to support their continued growth."
Ask Zack what people misunderstand most about the industry and the answer comes quickly.
"People hear traffic control and think of the person with the stop/go sign," he said.
In reality, the work involves extensive planning, specialised equipment and the responsibility of keeping workers and road users safe every day.
Banarang’s specialised Truck Mounted Attenuators help protect road crews and road users on worksites across NSW.
Earlier this year, one of Banarang's Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs), a specialised safety vehicle designed to absorb collisions and protect road workers, was struck by a fully loaded truck travelling at more than 90km/h. The TMA performed exactly as designed, protecting the crew and preventing what could have been a tragic outcome.
"Our role is to keep road users, emergency workers and our own teams safe," Zack said.
While safety remains at the heart of the business, Banarang's impact extends far beyond the roadside.
The company invests heavily in Indigenous employment and workforce development, with around 35 per cent of employees upskilled into higher construction qualifications. Banarang also covers the cost of industry training and accreditation tickets for First Nations employees, helping remove barriers to career progression.
The business is now exploring new opportunities, including facilities management and partnerships with other First Nations businesses.
L-R: Luca Wormald & Zack Angelovski from Banarang, & Adam Fletcher, Zoran Talevski & Yan Chen from NAB
As Indigenous Business Month shines a spotlight on First Nations entrepreneurship, Zack hopes Banarang's story encourages more Indigenous Australians to pursue opportunities in business. Recent research funded by NAB Foundation and led by the Australian National University found that strong relationships and access to the right support can help Indigenous businesses navigate barriers to growth. For Banarang, that support has helped transform an ambitious vision into an organisation creating employment, cultural connection and opportunities for First Nations communities.
To learn more about how NAB supports First Nations businesses across Australia, visit Sustainability and Community | NAB News - NAB
For all media enquiries, please contact the NAB Media Line on +61 3 7035 5015
