November 24th, 2024Council scoops $92,949 circular economy grant

The Hepburn Shire Council has received a $92,949 Circular Economy Organics Council Fund grant from the state government.

The state government has awarded the grant, through Sustainability Victoria, to the council’s Optimising Compost Quality for Beneficial Application project.

The council’s CEO, Bradley Thomas, says the council is proud to support actions which champion Victoria’s transition to a circular economy.

“The project will enable Council to carry out a scientifically rigorous study of soil and tree health after applying compost generated from our organics collection to a range of Council-managed parks and open spaces,” Mr Thomas said  

In a media statement announcing the grant, the council highlighted findings that encouraging healthier soils and trees leads to improved climate resilience, assisting plants to tolerate changes in climate and related impacts such as increased flash flooding, drought and heatwaves. 

“We will be working alongside Gaia Envirotech to optimise compost production at the Creswick Transfer Station to achieve the highest possible quality compost,” Mr Thomas said.

“An array of laboratory tests will be carried out on the compost and the soil. The soil in our parks and open spaces will be tested both before and after compost application to inform us of the beneficial microbial and chemical change in soil health achieved by applying compost.” 

The study will inform a business case assessing different investment pathways for using the compost within the council’s operations, potential availability for residents, landcare groups and farmers in the shire.  

Part of the project will be the production of several short videos informing residents how their food and garden organics can be used to benefit the shire and how important their collaboration is, particularly with avoiding contamination. 

This story based on a media release from Hepburn Shire Council. Images: Supplied