Shire to provide renewable waste

FOUR local municipalities including Golden Plains Shire have signed up for a green waste supply agreement with Barwon Water.

The initiative will see Golden Plains, alongside the Borough of Queenscliffe, Surf Coast Shire and City of Greater Geelong hand over collected kerbside waste for Barwon Water’s Renewable Organics Network, or RON.

Pending completion of the Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant in Connewarre, the collected waste will be processed to create agricultural products and renewable electricity.

Barwon Water’s chair Jo Plummer said the agreement will be an important effort in working towards a more sustainable future.

“The regional RON will lead the way in our region’s transition to a circular economy, in which materials are continually reused and recycled to increase their lifespan, add value and reduce waste,” she said.

“The project will convert 40,000 tonnes of organic waste each year into 8000 tonnes of high-value soil enhancers, including biochar, to support local agriculture.

“Biochar has amazing properties that helps lock carbon into soils while helping them retain moisture, which will help make our regional farm soils more climate resilient.”

The estimated contribution from Golden Plains Shire will be approximately 3000 tonnes of green waste each year.

From 2030, all municipalities will be required to deliver food and organic waste, or FOGO, services, and Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Gavin Gamble said the partnership is a key factor in preparing for that.

“By partnering with Barwon Water and our neighbouring councils, we’ll have a regional option for disposal of FOGO that will significantly reduce the amount of waste going into landfill and council’s greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

“This partnership will make it possible for council to introduce a FOGO service in Golden Plains before the 2030 deadline, whilst providing an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective solution for the management of FOGO waste in the Shire.”