The Andrews Labor Government is turning organic waste into renewable energy, creating new regional jobs and industries while reducing organic waste sent to landfill and driving down emissions.

Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today announced $10 million to support projects that create electricity, heat, gas or liquid fuel from organic waste that would otherwise go to landfill.

The Waste to Energy – Bioenergy Fund supports farming and food production industries to turn organic waste – including agricultural, livestock, food and wood waste – into renewable bioenergy.

The Labor Government is creating long-term regional employment and new revenue streams for primary producers, providing development opportunities for farming and food production businesses, as key providers of material for bioenergy projects across Victoria.

The fund will prioritise projects that increase jobs, create new economic opportunities and foster energy independence, while developing safe end uses for the residual products created by the renewable bioenergy process.

Through the fund, the Government is boosting participation and investment in Victoria’s bioenergy sector by supporting feasibility studies, business cases and new infrastructure.

Projects are expected to deliver an additional 5,000 kW to Victoria’s renewable energy production while diverting organic waste from landfill.

The Government is working to halve emissions by 2030 and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, which includes 40 per cent renewable energy capacity by 2025 and 50 per cent by 2030.

By 2030, the Government will also halve the organic waste sent to landfill, as outlined in its circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy. The Waste to Energy – Bioenergy Fund will support these aims.

More information is available at sustainability.vic.gov.au/grants-funding-and-investment/grants-and-funding.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio

“Bioenergy will play a major role in delivering our targets to halve organic waste sent to landfill by 2030 and will help us on our journey to net zero by 2050.”

“We’re creating regional jobs and new industries and income streams for farmers through our investment in bioenergy, while diverting organic waste from landfill.”