DM Roads announces $2 million annual commercial contract with Good Cycles

DM Roads today announces its new contract with Good Cycles to deliver vegetation management for the Western Region Maintenance Contract (MRAMS) across the west and north-west of Melbourne, valued in excess of $2 million per year over the next three years.

Good Cycles and DM Roads will work collaboratively to provide mentorship and coaching through a tailored six-month Supported Employment Program (SEP), expanding staff experiences in the field and creating pathways of opportunity for disadvantaged communities.

The contract officially commenced today and will support Good Cycles to empower young people with barriers to work by offering them employment pathways. It is expected to support over 20 new employment positions for youth in the Western Melbourne region, with each of these jobs offering vital future opportunities with education and employment partners.

Good Cycles will provide environmentally sustainable vegetation management and control and bring to life a safe, enhanced streetscape, vibrant economy and long-term social benefits.

Contract Manager Martin Kinski said DM Roads is leading the way in terms of advancing social procurement and will be building the model into more service contracts to support local communities and deliver value for the Victorian economy.

 “We are setting a major industry precedent with this large-scale contract by taking our longstanding partnership with Good Cycles to the next level, supporting the exponential growth of their revenue and assisting a seamless transition into vegetation management.”

“At DM Roads, we believe social enterprises can flourish with the right support and we are proud to work with such an amazing team at Good Cycles, who share our values of championing diversity in the workforce and breaking down barriers to employment,” Mr. Kinski added.

Welcoming the announcement, Good Cycles CEO, Jaison Hoernel is simultaneously delighted and ambitious about developing further employment possibilities in Melbourne’s west. He commented;

“It’s a tremendously exciting time for Good Cycles. With DM Roads’ support, we’ve diversified into vegetation management to accelerate and grow our impact in Melbourne’s western region and help unlock social benefits for local communities.”

“Good Cycles has assembled an exceptionally talented and experienced delivery team. Led by Neil Bailey who started his career many years ago in Melton, 90% of the team live in Melbourne’s west and will work in the west. We are committed to recruiting and reinvesting locally so that the Good Cycles and DM Roads partnership contributes to local growth.”

Since November 2019, DM Roads has successfully partnered with Good Cycles to improve the amenity and safety of 66 kilometres of shared user paths along the Hume and Western freeways to deliver the best experience for Melbourne’s western community, replacing nearly 500kms of utility vehicle inspections with e-cargo bike to make the operation safer for pedestrians and cyclists, and more environmentally friendly.