Dulverton Waste Management has unveiled a state-of-the-art Regional Organics Facility in Tasmania’s North-West to reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills.
Funded by both the Tasmanian Government’s Organic Waste Processing Grant Program and the Australian Government’s Regional Recovery Partnerships Program, the Dulverton Organics Treatment Facility is now officially operational.
Minister for Parks and Environment Nick Duigan praised the project, saying, “This facility will provide a more cost-effective and environmentally beneficial alternative to capture the nutrients in organic waste material.”
Receiving $9 million towards the project from both the State and Australian Governments, the new Latrobe facility is capable of processing more than 50,000 tonnes of organic waste each year, converting it into high-quality compost.
“This project is one of many across the state building the capacity of Tasmania’s resource recovery sector,” Minister Duigan added.
“The Tasmanian Liberal Government is delivering on its commitment to reduce and reuse waste and our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s future to build our State’s circular economy.”
The $32 million plant has facilitated the launch of food organics and garden organics (FOGO) services to 38,000 households across the Cradle Coast region, and enhanced composting operations for various industries, including aquaculture, dairy, and poultry. The facility is expected to divert 7,500 tonnes of organic waste away from landfill annually.
Senator Anne Urquhart highlighted the broader impact of the project: “The Australian Government is proud to have provided $6 million to make this project a reality, supporting more than 90 jobs during construction and creating another six ongoing jobs.”
“It has also provided an opportunity for a range of the businesses involved to obtain or upgrade business equipment, which will leave a lasting legacy,” Senator Urquhart continued.
“And importantly, developing the new facility has supported the roll out of kerbside FOGO services on the North West Coast, which is expected to divert 7,500 tonnes of organic waste away from landfill in a win for the environment.”
Dulverton Waste Management CEO Veronica Schilling underscored the facility’s significance: “Thanks to the support of government, we have been able to make this facility a reality and ensure that the North-West region can drive real change that benefits the regional economy, our environment, and communities.”
“We look forward to working with households and businesses across the region to ensure organic waste is transformed into a valuable resource for our communities and local industry,” Schilling added.
“Once the household FOGO collection service is well established, Dulverton Waste Management will work to scale the service to local food businesses, large and small, so the community as a whole can contribute to futureproofing the North-West region for generations to come.”
Dulverton Waste Management and North-West Resource Recovery and Recycling will collaborate with local communities in the coming months to ensure proper usage of all three kerbside bins, aiming to maximise the facility’s impact and minimise contamination of the FOGO collection.
