A proposal to develop a best practice regional composting facility near Morwell has received a $500,000 boost from the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio visited the site of the $5 million project today, which will use an enclosed tunnel system for the composting of food and organic green waste from councils in the region.

Pinegro currently composts using an open windrow method, but this process is affected by weather conditions.

The new system will allow composting to be done in a contained, temperature-controlled environment and will deliver a better product more quickly.

Pinegro’s grant will go toward construction of a waste receival building, composting tunnels and air and water filtration systems.

The project is expected to divert 18,000 tonnes of organic waste from landfill each year and create up to 10 jobs.

The grant came through the second round of the Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund which is supporting 13 projects across regional Victoria.

These projects are expected to divert more than 85,000 tonnes of waste a year from landfills and create up to 50 jobs across Victoria.

Applications for the third round of the Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund are now open. Information about how to apply for round three funding can be found at sustainability.vic.gov.au/RRIF_Infrastructure_Grants.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Food waste from homes accounts for some 250,000 tonnes a year in Victoria and projects like Pinegro’s help to reduce that.”

“These upgrades to the composting system will increase Pinegro’s capacity to process food waste and absorb more from local councils.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“This investment is not only good for the environment, it’s helping to support local jobs and industry and it’s been a real pleasure to support such a strong local business to grow.”

“The Pinegro grant will ensure the best composting technology is available here in Gippsland.”