Bega Valley Shire Council is pleased to announce the tender for the design, construction and operation of a new Organics Processing Facility (OPF) has been awarded to SOILCO Pty Ltd.
The $24,825,371 tender will result in a new OPF being built and operated from Council's Central Waste Facility (CWF) near Wolumla.
Project Manager, Kimberley Rushbrook said the purpose-built facility will be an important investment in reducing landfill dependency in the shire.
"Our current organics facility at the Merimbula Waste Transfer Station is no longer able to meet the needs of our growing community," Ms Rushbrook said.
"The new facility will use the latest technology to process food scraps and garden waste more efficiently and with a greatly reduced impact on the local environment.
"Its new home will be at our Central Waste Facility, which will make it easier and more convenient for contracted waste collection truck drivers to drop off their loads."
Ms Rushbrook said that pending development application approval, the new OPF is expected to be completed in 2026 and will be operated independently under a 10-year contract with capacity to extend if needed.
"Following an extensive pre-tender process, we are delighted to be partnering with SOILCO to deliver this important project," Ms Rushbrook said.
"SOILCO is a leading provider of organics processing services within NSW and we are confident they will operate a facility that meets the needs of our community and the environment.
"The new OPF will use covered aerated static pile technology with strong odour and leachate controls, which is a significant step up from the existing technology.
"The facility will also be designed with future expansion in mind, to cater for the growing demand for organics recycling.
"As the need to grow organics recycling continues, the new OPF will be a valuable asset as we move towards a waste free future in the Bega Valley Shire."
The CWF will remain closed to the public. When the new OPF at the CWF is complete, staff will decommission the existing organics facility at the Merimbula Waste Transfer Station. This will see the end of compost being available for purchase at our transfer stations.
Instead, SOILCO will be producing a range of high-quality soil improvement products and will be marketing and distributing it under their own brand through suitable local markets.
Project timeframe
- Schematic design: completed by February 2024
- Expected Council determination on development application: September 2025
- Construction if DA is approved: November 2025 - June 2026
To learn more about Council's landfill site, visit the CWF webpage.
