Wamarra acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands upon which we work, live and socialise. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who we recognise as Australia’s First Peoples whose cultural practices continue today.
We’re thrilled to announce that Wamarra has been awarded a major ~$40 million contract as Head Contractor for an expansion to the Myambat Explosive Ordnance Depot in the Hunter Valley.
This project, awarded by the Department of Defence through its Capital Facilities and Infrastructure (CFI) branch, part of the Security and Estate Group (SEG), marks a major milestone for us. Not only is it the largest project we’ve undertaken to date, it also reflects the strength of our growth in Defence and New South Wales, following the official opening of our Wagga Wagga office in October 2024.
“As a business built on our purpose and more importantly, our people, it’s incredibly rewarding to have secured this project after a long and competitive tender process,” said Hayden Heta, Wamarra Managing Director.
“It’s not just a big step forward for Wamarra, it’s an opportunity to continue making a difference in the lives of Aboriginal people. We’re proud to be providing local employment opportunities and delivering this important project with community at the centre.”
As a proudly Indigenous-owned and operated business, being chosen through the Department of Defence’s Indigenous Procurement Policy means a lot to us. It’s more than a contract; it’s a chance to create real change. We’re passionate about opening doors for Aboriginal people and building careers that last. We’ve already welcomed a local Indigenous Site Engineer to the team, and this is just the beginning. Supporting local talent and communities will remain at the heart of this project, every step of the way.
We’ll be delivering the works with the support of Symal and our trusted local project partners.
Our scope includes the construction of three new light frangible buildings, purpose-built to store explosive ordnance, each surrounded by six-metre-high earth traverses to assist in the event of an inadvertent blast. We’ll also be delivering the associated infrastructure, including new roads and services to support the facility.
Located just outside Denman, around two hours west of Newcastle, this project represents the largest Defence contract awarded to the Symal Group to date, something we’re incredibly proud to lead.
Construction activities will run for approximately twelve months, commencing late 2025. A big thank you to Project Managers Josh Mulvogue and Eamonn McCuskey, who have put their hands up to relocate for delivery.
Our work at Myambat follows a growing portfolio of Defence sector experience, including works on secure bases across Victoria and NSW, including the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence, Fishermans Bend, HMAS Albatross, Beecroft Weapons Range, Kapooka and Monegeetta Proving Grounds.
Leading this growth is Rhys Hannan, Group Defence Manager, who plays a pivotal role in strengthening our Defence capability and expanding our presence across major projects nationally.
"This is a proud moment for our team. It’s not just about building infrastructure, it’s about creating opportunities, growing our impact and paving the way for more meaningful careers for Aboriginal people. We’re excited for what’s ahead," said Rhys Hannan.
Together with Symal, Wamarra are proud to be delivering this foundational project, which sets the benchmark for future explosive ordinal facilities to be rolled out nation-wide under the Department of Defence’s broader $1.85 billion program.
If you're an Indigenous or veteran jobseeker, we want to hear from you. Wamarra is actively recruiting for a range of roles on this project and whether you're experienced in construction or just getting started, this is your chance to build your future with us.
Get in touch with our recruitment team via recruitment@symal.com.au and join a team that’s committed to building careers, not just projects.
