Defence has awarded Ventia Australia the base services contract for firefighting services.
Valued at $564 million over six years, the contract will deliver airfield and structural rescue and firefighting, training and incident response at designated Defence sites.
Firefighting services protect Defence capability including buildings, aircraft, and ships; minimises the physical and environmental impact of fires and maintains fire safety regimes, including bushfire response across the Defence estate.
The new contract will provide 380 job opportunities across multiple regional locations. Defence says the contract will have "a particular focus on maintaining a diverse and engaged team including increased female participation and leadership development, disability employment pathways, Indigenous employment program and veteran recruitment."
"Defence looks forward to continuing to work with Ventia, who have been responding to Defence emergencies for over 35 years, and supporting our people as they work, train, and prepare to deploy to activities and operations in Australia and around the world."
“The Australian Government recognises that Defence sites must be equipped to meet operational and capability requirements, now and in the future," First Assistant Secretary Service Delivery Division Lee-anne Monterosso said.
“Base services offer significant opportunity for Australian industry participation, which contributes to a strong and resilient domestic Defence industry supply base.
“Supporting our people who live, work and train across the Defence estate is crucial to building a future ready Defence Force.”
Base services also include activities such as building maintenance, cleaning, resource recovery, hospitality and catering, land management, transport, access control and perimeter security and other services that provide the day-to-day sustainment of the Defence Estate.