Compost created from residents' recycled organic waste will be launched for sale next weekend at the Goulburn Waste Management Centre.
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Growing Abilities Goulburn was be the first organisation to use the council's newly created compost product, with the first batch dropped off last week.
Mayor Bob Kirk and Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman undertook a site visit last week.
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"The project has been a long journey, beginning with the roll-out of green bins, and then construction of an organic waste pad, and the continual effort where staff have refined our processes to end up with the compost we have now," Cr Kirk said.
"...It has been a long journey for the council, and staff put countless hours into our processes to create a saleable product."
A report to Tuesday's council meeting also stated that a trial was underway to introduce organic sludge and compost from the Tribe Brewery at south Goulburn into the composting process. It was descibed as containing "beneficial organic matter."
The state contributed $392,063 as part of the NSW Environment Protection Authority's Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, funded from the waste levy. The money paid for the site's compost pads, leachate dam and haul road, as well as a new loader.
"I commend the staff on the ground - particularly Sam Morris and Marina Hollands, who have shown tremendous enthusiasm and expertise - to bring the end product to fruition. It has been a remarkable amount of work for the council from building the infrastructure to systematic testing, community education and handpicking any contamination from the trucks, they deserve the praise for a job well done," Ms Tuckerman said.
Growing Abilities Goulburn's horticulturist Kirstie Chalker was excited to be the first organisation to be utilising the compost.
"We are a not for profit wholesale and retail nursery. Growing a variety of native and exotic plants, trees, native tube stock, berries, herbs and veggies. We grow everything ourselves on site in Goulburn, so you can be assured it will survive our harsh local climate," she said.
"We run on the smell of an oily rag and survive on plant sales, philanthropy and the odd grant. So if you have any spare time or resources to contribute, you'd be most welcome to join us. Also we can provide services for anyone with an NDIS package. At the very least, come and buy a plant or two and help to spread the word about this great community run organisation."
Due to the successful roll-out of green bins, and the community response, the council has moved to purchase a machine to screen compost. The organisation matched the state grant and in 2018 secured $549,630 from the state's Waste Less Recycle More Program for the roll-out of green organic waste bins.
The compost will be available for sale from the Goulburn Waste Management Centre from March 20 between between 10am - 2pm, for $20 a trailer load, or $90 per tonne.
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