Veolia has been awarded a $280 million contract to operate several of the City of Gold Coast’s (City) recycling, resource recovery and waste management facilities.
As part of an initial seven-year contract with the City, Veolia has committed to a 5 per cent improvement to the Gold Coast’s recovery rates by 2025, through optimised waste management and increased recycling.
From May 2023, Veolia will operate up to five of the region’s essential resource recovery facilities, including three community waste and recycling centres, and two landfills.
Veolia will also run 14 logistics vehicles and work with the region’s social enterprise organisations to drive further environmental outcomes.
Overall, approximately 100 personnel will be directly employed by Veolia as the RRS contractor.
The City of Gold Coast is the second largest local government and sixth largest city in Australia with a resident population of more than 633,000 and welcoming more than 10 million domestic visitors per year.
Craig Barker, Veolia’s chief operating officer (COO) for resource recovery, said the contract award will bolster recycling and deliver landfill avoidance – all of which will contribute to a better environment.
“We plan to evolve the City’s circular economy agenda, by delivering an uplift in resource recovery by 5 per cent by 2025. Protecting the environment is important to the Gold Coast community and we’re committed to making this happen.”
Barker said the future of the environmental industry is growth, especially as policy demands an improvement in recycling and recovery rates.
“Australians create 61.5 million tonnes of waste each year and we only recover 60% of it. We know that by working with the Gold Coast community, we can recycle more, which would help to increase this number,” he said.
“While the Gold Coast has not achieved 60 per cent yet, our partnership will help support the Gold Coast in reaching this target.”
City of Gold Coast CEO Tim Baker said the City was delighted to be engaging an experienced industry partner to deliver on its mission to protect the health and safety of the community and the environment.
“This will be a strategic, collaborative, long-term contract with a single, experienced delivery partner that will leave a positive legacy for the City.
“As well as the direct cost savings, we expect to derive additional benefits of $35 million over the seven years, including avoiding up to $15.8 million in State Waste Levy payments.”
Barker said the contract award will ensure a robust and collaborative partnership with the City.
“We are simply thrilled to have been awarded the contract. It’s an exciting time for the industry and we’re confident that in working with the City of Gold Coast, we can bring many benefits to the local community, and improve the environment at the same time.”
Veolia will be contracted for a period of up to 18 years (one seven-year term, plus extension options of six years and five years respectively).
The City will continue to own all of its facilities and infrastructure assets and will also retain control of waste rates, fees and charges.
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