Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville today joined Labor Member for Thomastown, Bronwyn Halfpenny to announce the start of construction of two landmark projects in Melbourne’s northern suburbs which will help support the growing communities in the area.
Yarra Valley Water’s Waste to Energy facility in Wollert is the first dedicated organic waste processing facility specifically built for providing electricity for water treatment in Australia.
The $27m waste to energy facility will support local businesses by making the recycling of commercial organic waste easier and more affordable. The facility will produce electricity to run Yarra Valley’s adjacent water treatment plant with surplus power being exported to the electricity grid as renewable energy.
This environmentally sustainable alternative to landfill will not only benefit the environment, it will reduce the cost of living for communities by providing new revenue streams to keep the pressure off water prices.
Minister Neville also announced that the $130 million Amaroo Main Sewer had started construction with excavation underway in Craigieburn.
The project represents a $400m investment over five years in the region and will provide a waste water infrastructure backbone for development of this growing northern part of Melbourne.
Both of these projects will support population growth in the north, enabling the formation of thriving communities, and job creation in the region.
The recently announced Victorian Organics Resource Recovery Strategy will continue to encourage collaborations such as this between industry and communities over the next 30 years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville
“By recovering organic waste we introduce a new source of renewable energy and boost growth and investment in our economy - creating more Victorian jobs.
“The Amaroo Main Sewer Project lays the foundations to support population growth, enabling the formation of thriving communities, and job creation in the region”.
“These projects are great examples of our water authorities meeting the challenges of the future including climate change and population growth.”
Quote attributable to Member for Thomastown, Bronwyn Halfpenny
“The innovative waste to energy project by Yarra Valley Water showcases the potential for the water industry to deliver greater outcomes for the community.
Reviewed 19 August 2020