Swan Hill Rural City Council has officially opened the Ultima Compost Facility — a milestone project that represents a bold step forward in the municipality's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and regional leadership.
Representatives from Sustainability Victoria, surrounding Councils and industry were present, highlighting the strong interest in this exciting new venture.
Council's Mayor, Cr Stuart King said the facility is more than just new infrastructure, it is a practical step towards a cleaner, greener future for our region and beyond.
"This facility reflects our shared commitment to repurposing organic waste. While we are starting small, this site is full of potential," Cr King said. "We will engage industry experts to assist us in getting the process right."
Cr King said initially, the facility would process up to 1,200 tonnes of garden organics each year, however it has been purposefully designed with future expansion in mind.
"As Council prepares to roll out a universal FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) service as mandated by the State Government from 2027 and engage commercial and industrial sectors, the site's capacity and environmental impact are set to grow.
"The new composting system incorporates modern, environmentally responsible technology — including a rigorous green waste inspection and decontamination process, and an aerated pile system that precisely regulates temperature and moisture to optimise composting efficiency and safety," he said.
Cr King highlighted that importantly, the compost produced will stay within the region.
"Compost will be utilised by Council's Parks & Gardens team and made available to local growers, supporting a circular economy model that keeps resources and value in the community," he added.
The facility's opening marks a significant milestone not only for Ultima, but for the broader region's role in environmental stewardship and innovation," Cr King said.
Shannon Smyth, Sustainability Victoria's Markets Acceleration Manager said, "It's fantastic to see the Swan Hill Organics Recovery Facility completed and I applaud council's commitment to establishing a local circular economy.
"The facilities will not only play an important role in supporting council with the roll out of its universal FOGO service, but act as a regional hub to support and inspire neighbouring councils to pursue their own circular economy aspirations," Mr Smyth said.
The Ultima Organics Recycling Facility project is supported by the Circular Economy Organics Sector Transformation Fund delivered by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government and the Australian Government's Food Waste for Healthy Soils Fund.
