Opportunities for Victorian Aboriginal people
Award winning Aboriginal procurement
B.A Road Services is an Aboriginal owned and operated business that provides services to the asphalt industry. It specialises in industrial and commercial asphalt paving work.
In the 2020–21 Victorian Government Social Procurement Framework Annual report, B.A Road Services featured as an Aboriginal business that had been supported by Kinaway Chamber of Commerce to win contracts with Major Road Projects Victoria. In the 2 years since then, B.A Roads has grown their capacity and capability.
B.A Roads have been supported by Industry, having collaborated closely with BDM Construction. In the last year, the 2 businesses have worked together to deliver projects valued at more than $6 million across Victoria, including major infrastructure and urban business works. This partnership saw significant growth for both businesses, including creating additional employment opportunities for Aboriginal Victorians. In recognition, this partnership was awarded the Best Corporate Partner collaboration award at the 2022 Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
In December 2022, the Department of Transport and Planning entered into a direct 2-year contract with B.A Road Services for the Asphalt Patching of Various Arterial Roads and Freeways project. The works include undertaking major patching and preparation activities for sealing works across roads in the Melbourne Metro Western region.
The business has been operating for 4 years and has 4 Aboriginal employees (11% of the workforce). Brandon McRedmond, B.A Road Services Owner, has acknowledged his team of dedicated staff and their work to secure such a significant contract.
"Absolute credit to the team for executing at tender stage and getting this over the line - we have put so much hard work to get to this position to go for bigger jobs [with the Victorian Government]."
Opportunities for disadvantaged Victorians
Internships building careers and connections to Victoria
The West Gate Tunnel Project (WGTP) has provided job readiness opportunities to asylum seekers by helping them build careers in construction. Over the course of the project, WGTP has hosted 15 interns as part of the Career Seekers program, with many interns completing multiple internships.
There was a particular focus on supporting asylum seekers through the program, with one third of those interns being asylum seekers or refugees. The interns were provided with the opportunity to learn more about the project and gain real-world experience to help develop new skills and build a career. The majority have then gone on to have paid work on the project.
Karam Benni was one of the interns who sought refuge several years ago and came to Melbourne in 2019. After leaving his home country of Iraq due to security concerns, Karam has faced significant challenges in finding opportunities that aligned with his career goals. However, with the support of Career Seekers and WGTP, he has managed to overcome these challenges.
Karam participated in the Career Seekers program, and during his time made such a strong impression on his colleagues that he was offered a part-time position in design and construction while he continued his university studies.
WGTP’s work in helping asylum seekers build careers, benefits the whole Victorian community by unlocking the talents of those from diverse backgrounds and addressing skills shortages.
Social procurement delivers more than economic benefits. It can help refugees, asylum seekers and others from diverse backgrounds facing employment barriers build a sense of pride and belonging in Victoria. In Karam’s words:
I feel most proud knowing that I left my mark on my new home whenever I'm driving on roads and bridges I helped create.
Opportunities for Victorians with disability
Long-term partnership delivering opportunities for Victorians with disability
Country Fire Authority (CFA) has a long-standing partnership with Waverley Social Enterprises (Waverley Industries Ltd), that has delivered employment opportunities for Victorians with disability for over a decade.
Waverley Social Enterprises provides meaningful employment opportunities in a supported work environment. Consequently, Victorians with disability receive the support they need to participate and make worthwhile contributions to the workplace. They have been doing this across many industries for almost 40 years, including catering, packaging, assembly, grounds maintenance and onsite labour. Currently, Waverley Social Enterprises has 323 supported employees.
Their relationship with CFA began in 2012 when they won an open tender to provide catering services to the Bangholme training campus.
The campus is one of eight across the state which provides vital training and skills development for thousands of CFA volunteers to ensure they can continue to keep their communities safe.
CFA have been incredibly impressed with the quality of Waverley’s work, and the social enterprise has won subsequent tenders when CFA went out to market again in 2017 and 2021.
This support has been valuable for the social enterprise. “Waverley Social Enterprises love our partnership with the CFA,” reports Scott Haines, the Chief Commercial Officer for Waverley Social Enterprises. “The work provides our catering team with opportunity and meaning in their day as well as real social impact.” In the 2022–23 financial year, CFA spent $87,000 with Waverley Social Enterprises. This helped provide employment for 10 supported employees in their catering arm.
Caroline is one of those employees and has been working at the Bangholme site since the partnership commenced. Caroline lives with Advanced Impaired Learning and Cognitive capabilities. She not only prepares and serves food but conducts cleaning and recordkeeping. She also supervises a second team member on busy days.
This [working at the CFA campus] helps me to develop my hospitality skills and to work on mentoring and leadership skills, when another helper is required for busy days... I am proud of how far I have come and continue to improve my skills.
Caroline is supported by Waverley Social Enterprises’ team HR Support Officer who assists with learning new tasks and upskilling. She completed a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery to become a qualified chef for this role. She works directly under Waverley Social Enterprises’ Head Chef who oversees her daily tasks, including all work delivered for CFA. Outside of this, Caroline, and all employees, have access to an Employee Assistance Program, mental health monitoring and appointment breaks, and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support.
Caroline lives independently with her partner Matt, who also works at Waverley Social Enterprises. She reports that she likes working with CFA because it gives her independence and allows her to interact with the public.
Caroline is not the only one who feels they have developed. The Waverley Social Enterprises catering team is currently recruiting 2 to 3 more employees through organic growth of the business and are potentially looking to take on an apprentice with disability if the right candidate can be found.
CFA’s Business Coordinator for the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centres, Juanita Clifford, has praised the service provided by Waverley Social Enterprises to the Bangholme campus for the past 11 years.
“The food served by their happy staff is delicious, nutritious and of exceptional quality,” Juanita says.
“Enjoying delicious and nutritious food is an important part of our students’ campus experience as they are undertaking physically demanding training and we are pleased to be also providing employment for people in our community with disability.”
The partnership between CFA and Waverley Social Enterprises highlights what can be achieved through ongoing relationships built through social procurement. By providing stable sources of income, social enterprises are able to grow and develop, delivering improved social outcomes for Victoria.
Delivering accessible communications and creating employment for Victorians with disability
Melbourne Polytechnic is committed to creating a learning space and workplace that is accessible to people of all abilities – a place where all people are valued and respected, have equal access to opportunities and are encouraged to fulfil their talents and potential.
The institute identified a gap in its employee communications for over 30 staff for whom Auslan is their first language. To address this, Melbourne Polytechnic engaged Auslan Consultancy to provide translations for its regular employee communications. In doing so, Melbourne Polytechnic were able to create employment for Victorians with disability.
By utilising their team of Deaf professionals who specialise in video production, Auslan Consultancy were able to translate content offsite and deliver translated videos to Melbourne Polytechnic through post-production. Because sign language does not have the same grammar as English, and Deaf communities often have their own cultural norms, this process ensured accurate translation and the cultural appropriateness of the final videos.
The engagement with Auslan Consultancy began in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to the present. During the 2022–23 financial year, the procurement generated approximately 600 hours of work for 6 Victorians with disability working with Auslan Consultancy. The consultancy reports that while the initial engagement provided important financial support to help them navigate a difficult period, the ongoing work has played a vital role in boosting their reputation both during and after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are honoured to have collaborated with Melbourne Polytechnic on providing translation services for their employee communications. Working with Melbourne Polytechnic has been a truly rewarding experience, and [they] are proud to have played a crucial role in making their communications accessible to staff for whom Auslan is their first language.”
Melbourne Polytechnic’s emphasis on inclusivity both in communications and in their procurement demonstrates how government spending can generate multiple levels of value for the Victorian community. Not only did procuring translation services promote better inclusion of people with diverse needs at the institute, but the money spent also worked to help build careers and livelihoods for the Victorian Deaf community.
Hospital construction provides work for Victorians with disability
The new Footscray Hospital is the largest health infrastructure project under construction in the state to date. Over its lifecycle, more than $48 million is expected to be invested in social procurement initiatives, with a focus on purchasing from Aboriginal businesses, social enterprises and Australian Disability Enterprises – collectively referred to as ‘Social Benefit Suppliers’ under the Framework.
More than $7.2 million has already been spent with social benefit suppliers since construction started in March 2021, with $3.7 million spent in the 2022–23 financial year. The project also has a particular focus on creating employment for Victorians most in need, with more than 18,000 hours being worked by Victorians with disability in the 2022–23 financial year. This is out of a total of 65,377 hours being delivered by people most in need including Aboriginal Victorians, Victorians with disability and Victorians experiencing disadvantage.
Hours worked by Victorians with disability and Victorians experiencing disadvantage in 2022-23
The project also has a particular focus on creating employment for Victorians most in need, with more than 18,000 hours being worked by Victorians with disability in the 2022–23 financial year. This is out of a total of 65,377 hours being delivered by people most in need including Aboriginal Victorians, Victorians with disability and Victorians experiencing disadvantage.
An example of how the project has engaged social enterprises and supported people with disability is through the collaboration between Lingyun Australia and Mambourin Enterprises. Lingyun Australia is one of the subcontractors building the façade for the new Footscray Hospital.
Mambourin Enterprises is a social enterprise with a mission to provide training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, enhancing their quality of life and promoting social inclusion. They provide third party logistics, warehousing, packaging and assembly amongst other offerings. Lingyun Australia requires secure and reliable storage and timely delivery of construction materials to the site, which is provided by Mambourin Enterprises.
The collaboration between Lingyun Australia and Mambourin Enterprises is an example of social procurement delivering mutually beneficial results on a major infrastructure project. This partnership ensures the efficient supply of construction material to the New Footscray Hospital Project, which contributes to improved project timelines and quality. In addition, it has benefitted the 69 supported employees at Mambourin Enterprises. The contract has benefitted the organisation beyond the direct work being undertaken by the employees, by allowing Mambourin Enterprise to reinvest in their business, offering opportunities such as training.
This partnership demonstrates the benefits of social procurement to suppliers, the social enterprises and their beneficiaries, and also demonstrates the capability and commercial offering that is available in the social benefit supplier sector.
Women’s equality and safety
Construction delivering opportunities for Victorian women in non-traditional trades
Court Services Victoria is currently delivering a new state-of-the-art facility in Melbourne’s West. Breaking ground in August 2022, on completion of the 2.5-year contract, the Wyndham Law Courts will be the largest court complex in Victoria outside of the Melbourne Central Business District. The development is Lendlease’s first project where the BEP applies. While it’s still early stages on site, approximately 10% of the work hours completed to date have been carried out by women.
All major trades have had women in their workforce, resulting in 1,260 trade hours, 3,100 non-trade hours and 13,800 management and supervisory hours undertaken by women. These hours correspond to the project reporting period from August 2022 to 31 July 2023.
Hours worked by women in 2022-23
With 60% of trade packages secured, the procurement process has offered the first opportunity to engage with all subcontractors to implement the BEP.
Lendlease’s project Gender Equality Action Plan meet the mandatory requirements under the BEP and include commitments that go beyond the minimum requirements including gender-neutral bathrooms, respectful workplace training and planned skilling and employment programs to support the achievement of BEP outcomes.
Lendlease Project Engineer, Lenita Psychogios has diverse expertise and experience across roles in design teams, as a lead contractor and a concrete subcontractor. Lenita is a member of Lendlease’s Wyndham Law Courts project site team where she is responsible for trade procurement and management across their onsite works. The BEP has meant that gender diversity discussions with trades have been brought to the forefront, which is leading to change and action. Lenita acknowledges that these discussions range from those that are at the start of their journey, to others that are leading the way.
“It’s great to see these formalities help reshape the way subcontractors look at expanding their team to include females, giving everyone the same opportunity at learning the ways of the industry,” reports Lenita, “however, I believe we’ll be truly successful when we can move past the “obligation to tick a box” and head towards a road that sees the potential and abilities in everyone.
An example of an organisation leading the way is steelwork subcontractor, Structural Challenge. Managing Director, Maria Mavrikos has been a strong advocate for women in construction throughout her career.
Maria’s team includes two women welders, an occupation that has significant skills shortages and traditionally poor gender diversity. As well as being a vocal role model, Maria has responded by providing learning and development opportunities to women, supporting them to follow their interest and upskill.
Maria supports the BEP and acknowledges that it is early days for the policy and there is a need to ensure that it is generating meaningful outcomes.
“Gender diversity in trades is something I have been passionate about my whole career – it is good to see something more formal in place. I hope that showing the industry how you can successfully attract and retain women in trade roles will create more opportunities for women in the future.”
Sustainable Victorian social enterprise and Aboriginal business sectors
Long term contracts contributing to Aboriginal business sector sustainability
For the last 5 years, the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (MCMA) has been working with Traditional Owners to restore the remnants of Buloke Woodlands. MCMA contracted a Kinaway certified Aboriginal business, Dalki Garringa Nursery (‘Good Growing’ in the Wergaia language), to provide seed collection, tubestock propagation and planting services. MCMA has helped contribute to the sustainability of the Aboriginal business sector by contracting the nursery over 5 years – providing a stable stream of income over that period.
A part of the Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, the nursery specialises in the growth and propagation of native flora. They combine a modern approach with Aboriginal knowledge to provide economic and employment development opportunities for Traditional Owners and the broader community.
For 2022–23, the contract was valued at $120,000. In that year, Dalki Garringa collected 45 kilograms of seed, propagated 7,000 tubestock and revegetated 60 hectares of remnant woodland.
The length of the contract has been particularly appreciated by Dalki Garringa, with Elizabeth Mace, their Operations Manager, noting that the nursery “has appreciated being able to work with the MCMA on this Buloke Woodland project. The duration of the project allowed for assurance and continuity. We have enjoyed building relationships with the MCMA Team.”
This case study highlights how ongoing work can be crucial for helping Aboriginal businesses become more sustainable. Aside from financial stability, according to Elizabeth, the length of the contract allowed Dalki Garringa “to develop and enhance our practices and methodologies within our nursery to create a quality product and efficient team.”
Dalki Garringa staff hope this development will help generate further success.
Being able to work with the MCMA in a space that was restoring our country and would have a direct and long-term benefit on our animals and birds was very rewarding and we hope to continue the partnership with them and other revegetation networks in the future. We feel confident now after working with the MCMA on this project to tender for other projects or with other organisations to supply plants and work on Country.
Sustainable Victorian regions
Social procurement supporting Victorians in regions with entrenched disadvantage
Purchasing from regional communities can help businesses develop and provide opportunities for employment. The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industries and Regions (DJSIR) did exactly this when they procured from Hower Trailers.
The order was for 3 custom trailers – 2-cattle yard trailers and one for secure firearm storage – totalling almost $140,000. Given many of the units, Hower Trailers normally produce retail for under $10,000, this was a sizable purchase for a small business.
We are a small manufacturing business, so for us, this was a really big deal... I also feel that it does give our company more credibility to be considered or chose to do such work in the future.
The business and its 4 employees are based in Delacombe, identified as a region with entrenched disadvantage in Victoria. This was a significant factor in Hower Trailers being chosen as a preferred supplier.
Entrenched disadvantage is identified as living in a postcode listed as decile 1 on the SEIFA Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage.
Alan reports that because of the quality of their work, Hower Trailers is developing a good reputation and will hopefully be successful in securing future larger projects. By driving business toward regions with entrenched disadvantage, the Victorian Government can help communities develop and become more prosperous.
Sustainable procurement objectives
Testing floating wetlands provides opportunities for sustainable development
Environmental impacts and climate change mitigation measures are of utmost concern to Victorians. Westernport Water are trialling a nature-based solution for wastewater treatment, referred to as floating wetlands. These plant systems absorb nutrients and contaminants, as well as provide aquatic habitats for wildlife. Not only is the trial an opportunity to explore the effectiveness of a new water treatment method, but it presented an opportunity for Westernport Water to engage in sustainable procurement when purchasing the necessary equipment.
The trial represents a joint initiative between Westernport Water, Deakin University, Covey Associates, Clarity Aquatic and CSIRO with funding from the Victorian Government, Intelligent Water Networks and Yarra Valley Water. CSIRO are monitoring for the uptake of emerging contaminants and Deakin University are tracking greenhouse gas emissions, while Westernport Water are monitoring the nutrient uptake that improves the quality of the wastewater. If successful, Westernport Water’s floating wetlands will inform a planned project at the King Road Wastewater Treatment Plant for a more sustainable approach to management of wastewater.
Westernport Water are keenly aware of the importance of protecting the environment and how the discharge of wastewater affects aquatic environments. Consequently, social and sustainable procurement was given a strong 20% weighting during tender evaluation, including consideration for the use of recycled material in construction and emissions. The final product they settled on, through awarded partner Clarity Aquatic, was identified as substantially better for the environment than competing floating wetland products. Westernport Water have been impressed by the UV stabilised plastic, meaning there is no risk of microplastics being released into the environment through perishing materials. The system itself is modular so that it can be transported to other locations and reused. Not only that, but the system is 100% recyclable at the end of its life. Other materials, such as rocks and plants, were sourced locally.
While the use of the floating wetlands is a trial, the procurement demonstrates how the Framework helps deliver value-for-money that considers more than just the cost. Even though the system procured was not the cheapest on offer, Westernport Water reports that it offered the best environmental outcomes. Oceans and waterways are incredibly important. Reflecting that importance in procurement evaluations helps demonstrate the value that the environment represents to Victoria.
Upgrading AAMI Park facilities using environmentally sustainable business practices
When Melbourne was selected as one of the host cities for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the team at Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) saw an opportunity to upgrade the facilities at AAMI Park to meet the needs of fans, players and partners.
The entire package was valued at over $28 million (including a $25.15 million grant from the Victorian Government) across 6 key project streams:
- Improving player facilities
- Enhancing spectator experience
- Upgrading corporate, broadcast, and media facilities
- Sports light replacement
- Installing new state-of-the-art LED scoreboards
- Extending WiFi connectivity throughout the stadium
M&OP was committed to delivering strong sustainability outcomes throughout the project and was pleased to be able to partner with suppliers who shared their vision.
Recycling was identified as a key opportunity, with close to 42 tonnes of waste collected across the full program of works. Of this, an impressive 89% was recycled. 344 halogen lamps were replaced and recycled through the sports light upgrade, with 320 energy efficient LEDs installed in their place. Even the superseded grow lamps (specialised lights that stimulate turf growth on the pitch) were able to be rehomed to an interstate venue, extending their useful life.
Waste collected and recycled in 2022-23
Recycling was identified as a key opportunity, with close to 42 tonnes of waste collected across the full program of works. Of this, an impressive 89% was recycled. 344 halogen lamps were replaced and recycled through the sports light upgrade, with 320 energy efficient LEDs installed in their place. Even the superseded grow lamps (specialised lights that stimulate turf growth on the pitch) were able to be rehomed to an interstate venue, extending their useful life.
The sustainability outcomes achieved through the AAMI Park works demonstrate what can be achieved when buyers and suppliers are aligned in their values. M&OP, the delivery team, and construction partners, worked collaboratively to deliver excellent sustainability outcomes while remaining agile enough to continue the delivery of fixtures and events at the stadium with minimal interruption.
This program of works was delivered by:
- Procuring agency: Melbourne & Olympic Parks
- Project Management and Delivery Team: Deloitte PDS Group
- Architect (Corporate, Media & Broadcast package and Videoboards): Cox Architecture
- Corporate, Media & Broadcast Head Contractor: Renascent Constructions
- LED Scoreboards: Hanlon Industries and Daktronics
- Sportslighting: Harris HMC, Aurecon Australasia, and Buckford Illumination Group
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