Helping People Achieve have lost their Darwin tip shop contract

A Territory politician said he will intervene after a popular local provider lost a prized council tender. Read what happened.

Shoal Bay dump Trash and Treasure Shop.

City of Darwin is being criticised for awarding a prized trash and treasurer tender to an interstate provider.

Local disability services provider Helping People Achieve learnt this week it had lost its tender bid to continue managing the Trash and Treasure Shop at Shoal Bay dump.

East Coast-based not-for-profit Resource Recovery Australia, which was awarded the tender, operates “reuse shops in partnership with local councils across New South Wales and Queensland”, according to its website.

The decision to replace HPA, announced by council on Thursday, saddened supported employee Hamish Mahoney who has worked at the trash and treasure for the past six years.

Hamish, who recently earnt his P-plates, will miss the routine of driving from his home to work.

HPA's Sue Clarke and supported employee Hamish Mahoney

“I will miss it,” Hamish said, unsure what his next job opportunity would be.

Trash and Treasurer business development manager Sue Clarke assured Hamish HPA would assist him to find alternative work, but said she and the other employees were “disappointed” the tender had been lost.

HPA acting chief executive Stephanie Ransome said the group was “devastated” when it learnt the tender, which it won in 2018, was lost.

She said there were about 15 staff at HPA as well as six supported employees on the roster.

While the supported staff will be redeployed to other sites, permanent and temporary employees will either have to leave or take up jobs with the new trash and treasurer shop operator.

“It’s a big thing for the supported employees,” Ms Ransome said.

“Think about a person with autism. This is a massive change in their routine. Families are upset and it can be very unsettling for families with adult children with a disability.

“Over the next two-and-a-half months I will work with family, staff and employees to help them move into their new roles.”

Shoal Bay dump Trash and Treasure Shop.

City of Darwin said council was required to go to open market in line with procurement processes.

CEO Simone Saunders said when signing the new agreement, council sought assurances from Resource Recovery Australia that it would provide HPA supported employees with the opportunity to transition with the trash and treasure’s new management.

“HPA has been committed to improving the Trash and Treasure Shop and we thank them for their efforts over the last six years,” Ms Saunders said.

“Resource Recovery Australia has committed to reinvesting back into the Territory and the Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility, as well as employing locals.”

Former City of Darwin councillor now Karama MLA Brian O’Gallagher backed HPA.

“Like other residents I agree we need to support local businesses,” he said.

“I will raise this issue in parliament at our next sittings later this month.”