REMONDIS wins Leader of the Year and Operational Excellence in 2023 Waste Awards

In accepting these awards, Chris spoke with warmth and pride about his team's dedication to serving the communities of Wollongong City Council and Shellharbour City Council.

“We’re in Wollongong, a fantastic place to live… we service over 15 million bins a year but it’s all about the community and everyone as far as I’m concerned is equal.

“It’s a terrific business and I’m fortunate to be its leader.

“You’ll probably understand that I have magnificent staff. Fantastic drivers, mechanics, supervisors, accountants… and everyone there I value greatly.

“To me, being a leader is about doing everything I can for my staff and everyone who works for me… That’s all about leadership, I think. If you do as much as you can for your staff, they’ll do as much as they can for you, and your business will thrive.”

Awarded for Operational Excellence

Chris's community-focused, people-centred leadership style is evident in REMONDIS Wollongong's diverse workforce and remarkable employee retention rates, and in an enviable safety record.

REMONDIS Wollongong is one of 40 branches of REMONDIS Australia, and it’s a standout by any measure.

With a fulltime staff of 71 colleagues, REMONDIS Wollongong is well known for its close-knit team, community connections and respected leader. One of the defining characteristics of the operation is employee longevity – 30% of today’s team members have been here for more than 10 years. 17% of the workforce identifies as Indigenous.

The branch serves two municipal contracts, for Shellharbour and Wollongong Councils, and has an additional commercial & industrial customer base. The facility at 264 Nolan Street Unanderra hosts the fleet depot, workshop and office – co-locating drivers with operational, customer service and corporate services staff in one location, which has underpinned the co-operative, connected culture for which the branch is known. 

Engaged and involved

Community engagement, driven by real passion, is at the heart of the culture at REMONDIS Wollongong. Chris has long recognised that supporting the diverse interests of local employees pays dividends for individuals, the wider team and the community.

The branch has long-term annual commitments supporting a diverse range of charitable and community groups and events, which reflects the diversity of its staff, including Meals on Wheels, Rotary NSW RESCA Awards, Lake Illawarra PCYC Indigenous youth programs, Illawarra Convoy for Cancer Council, with Drivers proudly volunteering their time, and Group 7 South Coast Rugby League.

A love of rugby league permeates the branch – which may be something to do with current Operations Manager and former professional rugby league player for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Bronx Goodwin.