An Interview with Adam Fletcher, Ventia
Earlier this year, Ventia published an article in ecronicle exploring how they support the Circular Economy through soil washing technology at EarthSure, a Joint Venture between Ventia and Veolia. Given the article’s interest from our readers we decided to sit down with Adam Fletcher to dig a little deeper into the project and the impact on Victoria’s sustainable waste management.
Adam Fletcher, holds two roles, General Manager – Environmental Services with Ventia and Director of EarthSure and has an extensive career working in our sector for more than 20 years, having held positions at Laing O’Rourke, Baulderstone and Thiess.
1. Beyond environmental impacts, what are some other benefits of being able to remediate and reuse soil?
In addition to the clear environmental advantages, remediating and reusing soil delivers significant economic and social benefits. It reduces reliance on virgin materials like quarried sand and gravel, helping to preserve natural landscapes and cut extraction-related emissions. Economically, it lowers disposal costs and creates a local supply of construction-grade materials, supporting infrastructure projects with sustainable inputs. Socially, it contributes to job creation in the environmental services sector and reduces pressure on landfill sites near urban areas. These outcomes align with Australia’s Circular Economy Framework, which aims to transform waste into valuable resources and build more resilient supply chains.
2. Could you share information about the technology being developed for the facility, as well as an update on the project’s completion, which is estimated for 2025? When can we expect to see soil washing begin?
The soil washing technology, originally developed by Ventia for use at RAAF Base Edinburgh, is designed to treat a wide range of contaminants, including hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and other persistent pollutants. It combines physical separation, chemical washing, and water treatment to recover clean sand, gravel, and fines suitable for reuse. This proven technology is now being implemented at the EarthSure Resource Recovery Precinct in Dandenong South. The facility is on track for completion in late 2025, with soil washing operations expected to commence shortly thereafter. Once operational, it will process up to 160,000 tonnes of soil annually, significantly boosting Victoria’s capacity for sustainable soil remediation.
3. What long-term environmental benefits arise from diverting 144,000 tonnes of contaminated soil from landfills annually, and how does this align with Ventia’s sustainability goals?
Diverting 144,000 tonnes of contaminated soil from landfill each year delivers substantial long-term environmental benefits. It reduces the risk of groundwater contamination, lowers greenhouse gas emissions from landfill operations, and conserves increasingly scarce landfill space. By recovering and reusing materials like sand and gravel, the process also reduces demand for virgin resource extraction, helping to protect ecosystems and lower the carbon footprint of construction. This initiative supports Ventia’s sustainability goals, including emissions reduction, ecosystem protection, and responsible resource use. It also contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Australia’s Circular Economy Framework, which aims to double the circularity of the economy by 2035 and abate up to 23% of national emissions by 2050.
4. With EarthSure processing 25–30% of Victoria’s contaminated soils, how will this affect the state’s circular economy and sustainable waste management practices?
Processing up to 30% of Victoria’s contaminated soils at the EarthSure facility marks a major step forward in the state’s circular economy journey. Victoria generates over 14 million tonnes of waste annually, with contaminated soil forming a significant part of the construction and demolition (C&D) waste stream, nearly 44% of the total waste produced by the state. By diverting 144,000 tonnes of this soil from landfill each year, EarthSure directly supports the state’s goal of achieving 80% landfill diversion by 2030. Economically, the facility strengthens the resource recovery market, a key pillar of the Victorian Government’s Recycling Victoria: A New Economy policy. It also supports local supply chains by producing construction-grade materials from treated soil. Ultimately, EarthSure helps shift Victoria from a linear “take-make-dispose” model to a regenerative system that delivers long-term environmental, economic, and social value.
5. Finally, Adam, you’ve been working in this sector for over 20 years. What can you share with our readers about why working in this field matters to you?
For me, working in environmental remediation is about making a tangible difference—not just for today, but for future generations. Every project we complete helps restore land, protect ecosystems, and support sustainable development. Over the years, I’ve seen how innovation and collaboration can turn complex environmental challenges into real opportunities. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a sector that’s not only solving problems with a combination of technology, science and engineering, but also shaping a cleaner, more resilient future for the communities in which we work and live.
We’d like to thank Adam for taking the time to share his insights with us and recognise the significance of the work being delivered in this project.