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Downer Professional Services History

1940s

Having supported Defence for 80 years across a range of services, the Department of Defence is one of Downer’s longest standing customers. Downer has provided manufacturing and heavy industry capability to the Defence sector since the 1940s when Evans Deakin Industries manufactured the Bathurst Class anti-submarine Frigates.

1941

Construct 11 Bathurst Class Anti Submarine Frigates for Royal Australian Navy.

1943

Construct four River-class frigates (HMAS Burdekin, HMAS Diamantina, HMAS Shoalhaven and HMAS Murchison) for Royal Australian Navy.

1950s

1953

Construct Koala-class vessel: HMAS Kimbla.

1960s

1960

Construct Explorer-class vessels HMAS Bass and HMAS Banks.

1965-1968

Construct 20 Attack Class Patrol Boats at facilities in Brisbane and Maryborough. Construct F-111 maintenance hangar for RAAF Amberly.

1969

Construct Supply Carrier Vessel HMAS Japarit.

1970s

1971

Construct 8 Balikpapan-class landing craft (400 soldier capacity).

1977

Awarded $22m electrical services construction at RAAF Base Learmonth.

1980s

1988

Design and manufacture Echidna Explosive Ordnance Demolition robot.

1990s

The breadth of our service offerings allows us to provide advisory and project delivery services to the same customer organisation. This provides value to Defence through the retention of project knowledge and early contractor involvement. Importantly, we are conscious of the need to identify and manage probity and conflict of interest concerns.

1995

Awarded first generation outsourcing contract for defence estate upkeep and maintenance works (buildings and facilities, plant and equipment).

1998

Partner with Mercedes Benz to deliver the Medium Recovery Vehicle variant of the Unimog truck

2000s

2000

Awarded airfield lighting and control systems contract at RAAF Bases Pearce and Gin Gin.

2001

Awarded contracts for defence estate upkeep and maintenance works (buildings and facilities, plant and equipment) for various Defence bases in NT, WA, VIC, SA.

2003

Delivered airfield pavement surface enrichment to Jervis Bay Airfield, RAAF Pearce, RAAF Darwin, RAAF Gin Gin, RAAF Tindall, HMAS Albatross, RAAF Amberley, RAAF Townsville and RAAF Scherger.

2004-2005

Appointed first generation of combined hard and soft services contract for SEQld Defence bases. Appointed facilities maintenance contractor for NZ Southern Region (Burnham). Awarded taxiway widening project at RAAF Williamtown.

2006

Awarded taxiway widening project at RAAF Williamtown.

2007

Awarded HV electrical upgrade works - RAAF Williamtown.

2008

Appointed integrated facilities provider for 25 years to HQJOC high security facility.

2010s

With this is mind, Downer has established a separate and wholly owned subsidiary, Downer Professional Services, dedicated to the delivery of ‘above the line’ professional services. Separated by reporting lines, location, people and systems, the interaction between Downer Professional Services and the rest of the Downer Group is strongly governed.

2010

Deliver extensive runway rehabilitation works - RAAF Richmond, RAAF Edinburgh.

2011

Appointed facilities maintenance contractor - NZ Defence Central Region.

2014

Awarded estate upkeep and base operations services provider to 170 defence sites across QLD, NSW. Awarded and deliver runway pavement overlay at HMAS Albatross.

2015

Awarded HV Upgrade Works - Holsworthy Defence Base.

2017

Awarded HV Upgrade Works - RAAF Williamtown.

2018

Appointed Managing Contractor - Shoalwater Bay Training Area Remediation Project. Awarded HV upgrade - RAAF Richmond. Awarded HVAC Works Package - HMAS Cerberus. Appointed as one of four Major Service Providers (MSPs) to the Department of Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG). Awarded 20km Fibre Optic Communications Line Installation - SA Defence Installation.

2019

Downer MSP Awarded Contract Extension Over 4 Years with Critical Systems Branch (CASG) - delivering fleet information environment modernisation project. Contract Extension NZDF Facilities Maintenance- Central Defence -Linton, Ohakea, Waiouru.

2020s

2020

Two-year Extension Of Estate Upkeep And Operation Services - ADF bases QLD, SNSW, ACT. Appointed Managing Contractor - Victoria Barracks Melbourne Redevelopment. Awarded Head Contractor - RAAF Williamtown Runway Upgrade. NZDF Facilities Maintenance extension, Southern (Burnham). Ōhakea Air Base P8 Aircraft Hangar (Te Whare Toroa). Awarded HV upgrade works six ADF Bases. Calliope Wharf NZ.

2021

Awarded programme of 300 base upgrades across QLD, ACT, NSW. Extension of SEA2273 Professional Services contract to CIOG. Awarded Naval Combat Systems Integration Works Programme (MILWS) by CASG. As of 2021 Downer has 31 contracts within Defence’s Chief Information Officer Group. Awarded Defence Innovation Hub contract to develop the Muskito IED capability.

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Level 3
68 Northbourne Avenue
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