Favourite farm gets grant

ONE of the Bellarine Peninsula’s most idyllic wineries, Basils Farm, has been recognised by the federal government, receiving a $300,000 grant.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrived at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus last week to inspect work at the Carbon Nexus site and announce the 21 recipients chosen as part of a new Regional Jobs and Investment Packages (RJIP) pilot program.

The federal government has committed $220 million dollars to RJIP to help stimulate economic growth country-wide and deliver sustainable employment, with the Geelong region the first of 10 pilot sites to receive grants.

Basils Farm general manager Kim Dema met with Mr Turnbull, Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson and regional development minister John McVeigh on January 17 to receive the grant.

“It’s an honour to be one of the recipients awarded grants today,” Ms Dema said.

Basils Farm will use the grant to contribute to the costs of developing a solar-based micro grid system, outdoor cooking facility and onsite waste treatment.

“We are also privileged to be the only winery in the region to receive a grant.”

Ms Dema said the project will enhance Basils Farm as a financially, socially and environmentally sustainable food and wine business on the Bellarine Peninsula.

“The onsite solar based micro grid system-with complementary lithium ion batteries, will also power an outdoor cooking facility.

“Additionally the project will include the onsite treatment of waste products based on organic principles that will be recycled and repurposed across the property.

“The vision for the future of the Basils Farm business, is to provide an innovative energy and waste management system that will also provide an educational experience for visitors.”

Ms Dema said they would begin works on the project within the next couple of months with a 2019 completion date in mind.

“We thank the Australian government for the opportunity to apply for the grants and awarding the funding that will allow Basils Farm to continue to adopt environmentally sustainable business practices.”