Major Recycling Investment For Regional Victoria
The Andrews Labor Government is making a game-changing investment in regional recycling infrastructure, creating local circular economies and regional jobs.
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today opened round one of the $40.9 million Regional Recycling Fund that will strengthen regional Victoria’s recycling network.
From today, grants of up to $500,000 are available to upgrade regionally significant resource recovery centres for recyclable materials including cardboard, plastic, paper, glass and mixed recyclables.
The $10 million available for round one of the program can also be used to fund infrastructure investment that will help smaller facilities operate at a larger scale.
Future funding will support further upgrades and new regional material recovery facilities and will be informed by the development of Regional Circular Economy Plans. These plans will bring together regional councils and identify local recycling opportunities that optimise Victoria’s resource recovery and transfer station network.
Local councils and private operators are invited to apply. Private operators will be asked to contribute $3 for every $1 received through the program.
This fund is part of the Government’s $515 million investment towards delivering the biggest ever transformation of the state’s waste and recycling industry, including major reforms like the new four service household recycling system and the container deposit scheme.
Applications for round one of the Regional Recycling Fund are open until 4pm on 9 March 2022. More information is available at .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio
“We’re making a significant investment in the state’s recycling system by creating industries that have a positive impact on climate change through reducing landfill.”
“These regional facilities are the building blocks for a robust recycling network that will drive current and future material recovery in regional Victoria, supporting the creation of regional circular economies and jobs.”
Quote Attributable to Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas
“We continue to support households, workers and businesses through this pandemic with major budget investments like the Regional Recycling Fund, which will provide an immediate and ongoing boost to regional jobs.”