Premier

Turning Organic Waste Into Energy

06 October 2016

A plan for six central Victorian councils to work together on an organic waste to energy system will be developed thanks to a $125,000 funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.

Hepburn Shire Council will receive $50,000 from the New Energy Jobs Fund to support the development of a final business case for a micro-waste to energy power station.

The Labor Government will also provide $75,000 from round two of the Collaborative Council – Sustainability Fund Partnership Program to extend the planning for the proposed facility to five neighbouring councils who will work across municipal boundaries on how it could be used for the entire region.

Ballarat, Hepburn, Central Goldfields, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and Pyrenees Shire Councils received the funding for their proof-of-concept plan for a waste-to-energy network to power community buildings.

Organic waste collected by councils – such as food that would usually go to landfill – will be diverted toward generating power for community facilities. Councils expect this will reduce costs for landfill and reduce emissions.

The Collaborative Council – Sustainability Fund Partnership Program involves $300,000 being provided to Victorian councils working in groups to develop business cases or undertake feasibility studies.

The program aims to encourage councils to work together to find environmentally friendly solutions which also reduce costs for councils and their communities.

The closing date for the next round of the Program funding is 31 January 2017.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins

“We want to see more councils working together across municipal borders to get the best results for ratepayers and this is a good example of that work in action.”

“The project will not only help the environment, but make each of these councils more energy efficient as time goes on.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas

“The idea of producing energy from waste is an exciting one – and I look forward to hearing more about it as planning progresses.”

We are determined to grow clean energy jobs and are proud to be rebuilding much needed confidence in the renewable energy industry following the neglect of Liberal governments at both state and federal levels.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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