Bega Valley Shire Council in regional NSW started composting food organics and garden organics (FOGO) in 2018 at a small site with a 5,000 tonne limit. They used simple methods like windrow composting (piling compost in long rows). Later, they upgraded to a low-cost aerated floor system. However, as more residents joined the weekly FOGO collection service, the amount of waste quickly outgrew existing processes. The old site couldn't handle the extra waste or manage liquid runoff (leachate) and manually processing contaminants posed safety risks for staff. In 2020 council staff began planning for a larger processing facility at a new site.
Plans for the new facility
The new plant expected to be complete in 2027, will process up to 15,000 tonnes of organic waste each year using a covered aerated static pile system. It will serve about 20,000 homes and businesses and can be expanded later to handle 30,000 tonnes.
The cost
Upfront investment into planning, building, and operating a new organic waste processing facility can reduce long term costs and impacts of landfilling. Total costs so far are around $26 million.
- Planning: about $900,000
- Design and construction: $12 million
- Operating: $1.3 million per year for a 10-year tender
- Extra costs are expected for ongoing project management, planning and approvals, power supply and upgrades and site-specific expenses not included in the tender.
Working together
Council worked with a project manager, a steering committee, and external specialists. NSW Public Works helped with tenders and contracts. Studies were done on heritage, biodiversity, and site conditions to reduce risks. SOILCO Pty Ltd won the tender to build and operate the facility.
Key challenges
- Managing contamination in FOGO
- Complex planning and approvals
- High costs and long timelines
Conclusion
Building an organics processing facility is important for reducing landfill waste. However, it requires careful planning, expert help, and significant investment.
