Sphere Insights Newsletter
Dec 2024
The Role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP’s) in Environmental Infrastructure
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly essential in advancing Australia’s environmental infrastructure. By uniting the public and private sectors, PPPs leverage private innovation, efficiency, and capital to meet public needs in energy, water, and waste management.
This collaborative approach balances risks and responsibilities, creating resilient, sustainable solutions to societal challenges. In this article we explore the benefits, key drivers, and considerations for successful PPPs, showcasing their impact across sectors.
Below are the top 5 takeaways from the article
1.Access to Capital
PPPs enable governments to access private financing, helping overcome budget limitations for essential infrastructure.
2. Optimised Risk Allocation
Risks are allocated to the party best equipped to manage them, improving project resilience and operational efficiency.
3. Innovation Boost
Private sector expertise brings advanced technologies and cost-effective practices, especially valuable in operation and maintenance.
4.Faster Project Delivery
PPPs can expedite infrastructure development, leveraging specialised expertise for complex projects.
5.Enhanced Sector Impact
PPPs support sustainable progress in energy, water, and waste, driving initiatives like the Victorian Big Battery and Kwinana Energy Recovery Project.
Sphere Case Study : Bendigo Mine Groundwater Project
Sphere was engaged by Coliban Water to provide commercial advisory and transaction management services to review and develop a strategy for the transition from the interim Bendigo Mine Groundwater Project to the longer term solution.
The interim solution included an existing facility delivered under a build own operate transfer (BOOT) model that was nearing the end of the contract term. Sphere, in collaboration with Coliban Water and DEECA developed a strategy that included implementing the end of term obligations and partial decommissioning of the project under the current BOOT contract and extending the operations at the current site under a new arrangement to provide treatment capacity while the longer term solution was developed.
5 minute read
2025 Challenges & opportunities in the NSW waste sector
Urgency for Greater Sydney’s landfill capacity
The “landfill cliff” for Greater Sydney is approaching within the next 6-8 years, emphasising the urgent need for proactive planning and infrastructure expansion. Lengthy planning and licensing approvals complicate efforts to address this need, adding cost and uncertainty to project timelines.
Stakeholder alignment and levy policy
At the revent WMRR NSW Waste & Resource Recovery forum the “Setting for Success” panel underscored the importance of alignment and collaboration among stakeholders. The NSW levy was highlighted yet again as a key tool to drive sustainable infrastructure and foster change in the sector.