Progress for Local Organics Processing Facility
Published on 27 June 2023
Significant progress has been made on plans to construct an organics processing facility for the Snowy Valleys, including approval from Heritage NSW for an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit.
The new purpose-built facility, to be located south of the Tumut Resource Recovery Centre in Gilmore on the Snowy Mountains Highway, will enable Snowy Valleys Council to locally process and repurpose organic waste generated by the community.
During the early planning stages of the project, an extensive archaeological dig at the site uncovered a number of Aboriginal objects, requiring Council to work closely with Heritage NSW to obtain an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit allowing safe and approved construction to continue while ensuring designated areas are protected.
Site preparation works are continuing, including electrical upgrades, procurement of road works materials and culverts, and equipment deliveries. The next phase will involve tendering for the civil construction works for the mobile aerated floor composting process, bringing the facility one step closer to fruition.
Council launched its kerbside Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) collections in August 2021, with the aim of diverting more than 1,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfill annually.
The construction of a state-of-the-art organics processing facility will reinforce Council's commitment to sustainable waste management by minimising landfill dependency, fostering a greener future and providing a high-quality product for the community.
The first stage of the project will enable the local processing of up to 3,000 tonnes of organics annually.
The plant will be operated and managed by Council's waste management partner, Valmar Support Services.
The NSW Environmental Trust, in partnership with the NSW Environment Protection Authority, awarded council a grant of $946,924 to support the construction of an organics processing facility to support the FOGO kerbside collection service.
-ENDS-