Darwin man William Feeney on running EcoMob

A local entrepreneur has now established himself as a go-to man for defence bases looking to offload their waste. Read how William ‘Billy’ Feeney and his employees are making a living.

EcoMob director William 'Billy' Feeney runs a Darwin waste facility company Veolia. Picture: Supplied.

With the help of an ecologically-driven company, a local entrepreneur has transformed Darwin’s food waste landscape using a niche facility which turns leftovers from military bases into high quality compost.

For almost a year, Indigenous entrepreneur William ‘Billy’ Feeney has been pouring his time and energy into EcoMob - a local enterprise aimed at turning food waste into nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Supported by company Veolia, EcoMob initially undertook a trial period in which food waste from Robertson Barracks and Larrakeyah Barracks was processed.

Deemed successful, EcoMob then established an off-base facility which now has the means to take waste from every military base around Darwin, as well as other businesses throughout the region.

The trial period started with Robertson Barrack (pictured) and Larrakeyah Base, with EcoMob now capable of servicing all bases across Darwin.

Mr Feeney said he was proud of what his enterprise had achieved so far.

“With the Department of Defence providing the food waste and Veolia bringing in another dehydrator unit to its Darwin depot and applying its expertise, we were quickly able to set up a business that was sustainable and created jobs for locals,” he said.

“I’m very hopeful that this business can grow and become an important part of the Territory’s circular economy.”

Mr Feeney said EcoMob was making a holistic contribution to the Territory.

“What I particularly love about being the owner and operator is that this is a business that truly makes a difference ― to the environment, to the circular economy, for farmers and gardeners and for people looking to find meaningful work.”

Veolia predict EcoMob will play a key role in helping Defence halve its food waste going to landfill. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Feeney’s work is well-supported by Veolia, that hopes to support grassroots-driven initiatives in protecting the environment.

“A big part of Veolia’s ethos as a company is deeply rooted in the idea of ecological transformation, which aims to depollute, decarbonise and regenerate the world,” said Veolia’s National Contract manager Dale Manley.

“Helping Billy set up the first commercial food organics facility in Darwin by providing the space, machinery and expertise to turn food waste into high grade fertiliser goes to the heart of that mission.”

With the Department of Defence committed to halving its food waste going to landfill by 2030, Mr Manley said EcoMob would continue to make a “genuine difference” to the Territory in years to come.

“Helping Billy set up the first commercial food organics facility in Darwin by providing the space, machinery and expertise to turn food waste into high grade fertiliser goes to the heart of (that) mission.”