Defence Resource Recovery and Waste Management contract award

Defence has awarded the next generation of Resource Recovery and Waste Management contracts to Cleanaway Operations Pty Ltd and Veolia Environmental Services (Australia) Pty Ltd for the next six years. 

With a cost of $560m including the annual recurring services fees and an estimate for waste volumes, Cleanaway and Veolia will deliver resource recovery and waste management services across the Defence estate, prioritising environmental management and sustainability to deliver maximum benefits for Defence capability and the environment.

These new contracts create job opportunities in major cities, rural and remote locations across Australia, supporting our people as they work, train, and prepare to deploy to activities and operations domestically and around the world.

Cleanaway and Veolia are long-standing service providers within the sector and have placed a strong emphasis on opportunities for small-to-medium enterprises, including employment pathways for Indigenous Australians, women, Australian Defence Force veterans, and Defence families. 

The Australian Government’s National Waste Policy is a commitment to transition to a circular economy by 2030. Activities delivered under the Resource Recovery and Waste Management contracts will increase the use of recycled material and build demand for recycled products, minimise the generation of waste and better manage material flows to benefit human health, the environment and the economy.

The Government is committed to making a significant, long-term investment in the ADF’s posture, capability, and structure to enhance the ADF’s ability to deploy forces, support workforce expansion and meet training needs that protect Australia.

This is the third package of Base Services contracts awarded, with Firefighting Services and Base Security Services awarded recently. Contracts for Living and Working Services, Property and Asset Services, National Program Service and Project Delivery Services will be awarded over the coming year.

Quotes attributable to Luke McLeod, Assistant Secretary Base Services Transformation:

“Defence is proud to be partnering with Cleanaway and Veolia to ensure, as the largest steward of Commonwealth land, Defence is meeting resource recovery and waste management responsibilities now into the future.

"Australia is transitioning to a circular economy, promoting the reuse of products, and reducing greenhouse emissions. The Government has legislated and is committed to achieving net zero national emissions by 2050. The Base Services contracts are another step in achieving that.

"The Australian Government recognises that our Defence sites must be equipped to meet operational and capability requirements, now and in the future.

"Base Services offer significant opportunity for Australian industry participation, which contributes to a strong and resilient domestic Defence Industry supply base.”