GHD is leading the way in Waste Management across Australia

Leading professional services company GHD has been ranked 1^st in the Inside Waste 2020 Waste Consultants Review in number of projects, design and engineering of facilities for large consultancies.

GHD has also ranked second in environmental specialists, landfill design and technology, infrastructure reviews and evaluations. 

Inside Waste is the official publication of the Waste Management Resource Recovery Association of Australia. Almost a decade ago, Inside Waste, launched its annual Consultants Review. It is the only ranking of waste consultants in Australia. The review gives companies, organisations and councils the opportunity to rate the work that consultants have done for them in the waste management and environment space. This year’s responses came from a variety of stakeholders including government, private contractors, non-for-profits, universities and community developers.

“Since 2012, we have consistently been on the leader board which shows our strong commitment and passion to the industry and our clients,” says Alison Colella, GHD’s Service Line Leader, Waste Management – Australia.

The rankings come at a pivotal time for Australia’s waste management and resource recovery sector.

For the first time waste management and recycling infrastructure has been elevated to the top tier of Infrastructure Australia’s top priorities list, making it a significant focus for federal, state and local governments.

This follows China’s decision to effectively ban the import of waste in 2018, and the subsequent release of a new National Waste Policy for Australia in late 2018, based on Circular Economy principles of thinking of waste as a resource. Since that time the Commonwealth, States and Territories have been very active in developing strategies and actions to respond to this situation, in consultation with industry.

“It is an exciting time to be working in this industry across Australia. The new National Waste Policy, roadmap and various export bans are shining a much needed light on Australia’s waste management and resource recovery models and infrastructure” says Alison.  “Whilst there are real challenges for the industry this focus has been warmly welcomed as the industry strives to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

For the past decade Australia has relied on exporting recyclable materials, and with this no longer an option, government and industry will need to work collaboratively to respond to the infrastructure demands, and to also stop recyclables ending up in landfill.

“I am looking forward to seeing how things will shift and expect to see a significant increase in investment in technological innovation to maximise the value of recycled products and also a focus on getting organic waste out of landfill,” adds Alison.

GHD has provided services to the waste sector for more than 20 years in Australia, at all stages of infrastructure planning and delivery for both traditional infrastructure such as landfills and transfer stations, but increasingly in the energy from waste and organics sectors, together with resource recovery and logistics.

“More and more the combination of our core planning, engineering and environmental services with our Advisory and Digital business allows us to work closely with our clients in co-designing solutions to harnessing the business opportunity while responding to community needs that sit at the heart of this sector,” says Alison.