Having successfully delivered previous iterations of the National Aircraft Pavement Maintenance Program since 2014, this new program is an extension to the current seven-year agreement, with Beca and Aurecon providing on-site maintenance.

Damian Johnson, senior associate - airports at Beca, welcomed the contract, saying, "Beca is excited that Defence has shown confidence in our combined team with Aurecon to provide continued leadership in the National Airfields Program. We look forward to working together to innovate this next chapter of Defence airfields for the future."

David Barter, Beca business director, defence and national security, said he is proud of the team's consistent client focused delivery for ADF. 

"We have been partnering with Defence to keep airfields operational for close to a decade now. The renewal of this contract for another three-plus years is testament to the high standard of delivery from the combined Beca Aurecon JV," Barter added. 

Beca has provided aircraft pavement maintenance advice and design services to the Australian Defence Force since 2009. Over the past seven years, the team has delivered routine maintenance to almost 900 hectares of aircraft pavements, walking over an estimated 6,600 kilometres in the process.

The Australian Defence Force is the largest owner of airfields in Australia and each one is essential to supporting the defence of the country. Maintaining these airfields in an operational state at all times helps ensure the Defence Force can continue to use the asset in defending Australia's national interests.

Beca has been providing aircraft pavement maintenance advice and design services to the Australian Defence Force since 2009. Since 2013, the joint venture partners have been delivering full design and PMCA services. 

Beca and Aurecon inspect all 28 airfields across the country; prepare pavement inspection reports; recommend annual maintenance programs; advise on inputs into defence capital works; plan, design and specify works; and provide technical construction monitoring and PMCA services.

It’s a major task, so airfields are prioritised based on a three tier system of relative importance. From RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory to RAAF Base Williamstown in NSW, every airfield is unique – some serve helicopters, others have the capacity for fighter jets, almost all are used for training, and some are shared with civilian airports.

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.