State tips cash into recycling centres

SURF Coast and Geelong recycling centres are eligible for $500,000 grants for infrastructure upgrades under a new state scheme.

The Victorian government has opened its Regional Recycling Fund (RRF), which provides cash for “regionally significant” resource recovery facilities to expand their capabilities.

Applications have opened for the fund’s $10 million first round, with $40.9 million in total budgeted.

The Victorian government said the investment was designed to accelerate Victoria’s recovery from COVID-19 by creating local jobs, while developing circular economies for its resource economy.

The funding is open to both councils and private businesses to improve their facilities. Private operators would need to triple the state’s contribution under the fund for their projects to be eligible.

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman encouraged local councils to apply for the grants.

“I encourage councils and recycling centres positioned to be regionally significant waste and recovery hubs to apply for a share of this funding that will benefit households and business in Geelong and the Surf Coast while creating jobs,” he said.

“This is a game-changing investment for Victoria’s recycling infrastructure and important step to the growing the regional recycling industry, reducing landfill.”

Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the investment would bolster the state’s progress toward its long-term environmental outcomes.

“Regional recycling centres are the building blocks for a robust recycling network that will drive current and future material recovery in regional Victoria and support the creation of regional circular economies,” she said.

Applications for round one close on March 9.

The RRF is part of Victoria’s $515-million investment in the state’s waste and recycling sector, which includes its four-bin household recycling system and the coming container deposit scheme.