Indigenous company to deliver Puckapunyal upgrades

Joint media release: 

• National Party Chief Whip, Member for Nicholls, the Hon Damian Drum MP

The Morrison Government has today announced a $45.8 million head contract to deliver critical upgrades at Puckapunyal Training Area, delivering a significant boost to regional Victoria.

In line with the Government’s commitment to support Indigenous businesses, Barpa Pty Ltd, a proud and dynamic Australian Indigenous construction company, has been awarded the contract.

Minister Price said the project would provide major benefits to the Victorian economy by maximising opportunities for Indigenous and local businesses.

“The construction workforce will be about 30 workers per day, with a predicted peak of around 80 workers per day,” Minister Price said.

“The Local Industry Capability Plan targets 97 per cent of the subcontract packages to be awarded to local businesses.

“That is clearly an outstanding result for the local economy.”

Minister Price said the Government had committed to a significant investment at Puckapunyal to support current and future land capabilities.

“Puckapunyal Military Area in Victoria is the Australian Army’s centre for combined arms doctrinal development and training, supporting a large number of defence personnel, family members, and foreign visitors,” Minister Price said. 

“The project will improve critical base infrastructure that supports the operation and sustainment of the Puckapunyal Military Area in support of Army capability.

“As part of the Puckapunyal Mid-Term Refresh Project, Barpa will remediate and upgrade the current water, stormwater and sewerage systems throughout the Base.”

Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum welcomed the announcement saying.

“I congratulate Barpa on being selected as the head contractor for this important infrastructure upgrade at Puckapunyal,” Mr Drum said.

“Almost the entire value of subcontracts on this project will go to local businesses and this is particularly important as we continue to grapple with the economic fallout caused by COVID-19 and associated lockdowns.

“I look forward to working with Minister Price, Barpa and the local community on this project.”

Barpa was procured under the Government’s Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP) to support development of Indigenous businesses, skills and workforce.

Defence continues to exceed Australian Government targets under the Indigenous Procurement Policy.

Since the introduction of the IPP in 2015, more than $4 billion of Federal Government contracts have been awarded to Indigenous businesses. Of this, Defence has awarded more $2 billion in contract value to Indigenous-owned businesses.

Defence remains a key contributor against the Commonwealth Indigenous Procurement Policy.

In 2020-21, Defence exceeded its number target (676 contracts) by awarding over 3426 contracts to Indigenous businesses at a value of $497 million (against a value target of $110 million).

Construction on the project started in July and is expected to finish in early 2023.

Additional information is available at Indigenous Procurement Policy.