Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Steve Dimopolous MP, Victorian Minister for Environment, Outdoor Recreation, Tourism, Sports, and Major Events
The Hon Gayle Tierney MP, Victorian Minister for Water
A major expansion of the Gippsland Water's Regional Organics facility will increase capacity to turn food and garden organics into high-quality compost to boost the productivity of Victorian farms thanks to the Allan Labor and Albanese Labor Government.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopolous announced the completion of a $12.9 million upgrade to the Gippsland Regional Organics Facility, allowing them to process an additional 70,000 tonnes of organic waste every year.
The Allan Labor Government is investing $2.4 million in the project with a contribution of $2.4 million from the Albanese Labor Government under the Food Waste for Healthy Soils Fund, to divert more organic material from landfill and reduce emissions.
The upgrade at the Gippsland facility will allow them process an additional 70,000 tonnes of organic material per year, bringing total capacity to 250,000 tonnes per annum. This will result in an extra 20,000 tonnes of certified compost available for use each year, equivalent to 13 Olympic swimming pools.
For Victorian families, the expansion means more of the food and garden waste collected through kerbside services can be recycled instead of going to landfill. This also offsets operating costs for Gippsland Water, placing downward pressure on customer bills and creating jobs for the region.
For farmers, the project delivers a reliable supply of high-quality compost to improve soil health and support sustainable agriculture across Gippsland.
The upgrade includes new processing areas, installation of water and power infrastructure, and new equipment to handle increased volumes of organics.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Environment and Water Murray Watt:
"Australians waste an average of around 300kgs of food each year per person. Projects like this one in Gippsland are a critical part of our efforts to halve preventable food waste by 2030.
"By repurposing our food waste into compost we create healthy soils, produce healthy crops, support a circular economy, capture carbon, and create a more sustainable Australia."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos:
"By transforming food and garden waste into compost for our farmers, we're reducing landfill, cutting emissions and supporting local jobs.
"This expansion means Victorian households can be confident that the food and garden waste they put in their green bins is being recycled into a valuable product that supports our agriculture sector."
Quote attributable to Minister for Water Gayle Tierney:
"Gippsland Water is backing local farmers and communities with this $12.9 million upgrade that provides an important material to farmers."
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh:
"Farmers across Gippsland will benefit from a reliable supply of high-quality compost to improve soil health and productivity, helping grow better crops and strengthen the region's economy."
