Proposed Food & Garden Organics Composting Facility

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A map of a proposed food organics and garden organics composting facility on Johnstons Road Bairnsdale.

Council is proposing a new Food and Garden Organics (FOGO) Composting Facility on land at Johnstons Road, Forge Creek, next to the existing Bairnsdale Regional Landfill.

This facility will support more sustainable waste management by diverting food and garden waste from landfill and turning it into nutrient-rich compost.

What's happened so far?

A planning permit application has been lodged with Council, and a development licence application has been submitted to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

Public notifications for the planning application commenced in February 2025. Affected landowners were notified directly, in accordance with the statutory planning process under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

A community information session was held on 27 March 2025 to present the proposal and answer questions.

What's happening next?

The project team is currently reviewing all feedback received so far. The project team is also considering potential changes to the proposal in response to community feedback. Updates will be posted to this Your Say page.

We are committed to transparent community engagement and decision-making. You can continue to provide feedback until a decision is made on the planning application.

Community members are invited to learn more about the proposed organic composting facility, and provide comment if they choose to.

The EPA development licence will also be made available for public comment in due course.

You can get involved by:

Submissions

To ensure your submission is considered:

  • It must be received before Council makes its decision on the application
  • It must be a written submission, addressed to Council
  • If objecting to the proposal, please clearly label it as an objection and include:
    • Your reasons for objecting
    • Stating how the application will affect you, and
    • Include your name and current contact details

You can also use the Objection Form to structure your response.


Project scope

Council is seeking approval for a new organic composting facility located next to Bairnsdale Regional Landfill, on Johnstons Road, Forge Creek.

Beveridge Williams, an engineering, infrastructure and land development consultancy, is managing the planning permit process on behalf of Council.

The facility will allow the separation of organic waste (such as food scraps and garden trimmings) from general waste. It can then be composted and turned into nutrient-rich soil, rather than being sent to landfill where it would otherwise generate methane emissions. The facility will continue to accept garden waste from the community, as is currently the case at the landfill.

The facility is designed to process up to 25,000 tonnes of garden organics (GO) and mixed food and garden organics (FOGO) waste each year. The process includes:

  • Covered, air-assisted bunkers for initial treatment of mixed organics,
  • Followed by open windrows for further compost maturation.

The facility will continue to accept garden waste from the community, as is currently the case at the landfill.


We welcome your continued interest in this initiative. Updates will be provided on Your Say. Please click 'Subscribe' at the top of the page to follow this project and receive important information directly to your inbox.

Council is proposing a new Food and Garden Organics (FOGO) Composting Facility on land at Johnstons Road, Forge Creek, next to the existing Bairnsdale Regional Landfill.

This facility will support more sustainable waste management by diverting food and garden waste from landfill and turning it into nutrient-rich compost.

What's happened so far?

A planning permit application has been lodged with Council, and a development licence application has been submitted to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

Public notifications for the planning application commenced in February 2025. Affected landowners were notified directly, in accordance with the statutory planning process under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

A community information session was held on 27 March 2025 to present the proposal and answer questions.

What's happening next?

The project team is currently reviewing all feedback received so far. The project team is also considering potential changes to the proposal in response to community feedback. Updates will be posted to this Your Say page.

We are committed to transparent community engagement and decision-making. You can continue to provide feedback until a decision is made on the planning application.

Community members are invited to learn more about the proposed organic composting facility, and provide comment if they choose to.

The EPA development licence will also be made available for public comment in due course.

You can get involved by:

Submissions

To ensure your submission is considered:

  • It must be received before Council makes its decision on the application
  • It must be a written submission, addressed to Council
  • If objecting to the proposal, please clearly label it as an objection and include:
    • Your reasons for objecting
    • Stating how the application will affect you, and
    • Include your name and current contact details

You can also use the Objection Form to structure your response.


Project scope

Council is seeking approval for a new organic composting facility located next to Bairnsdale Regional Landfill, on Johnstons Road, Forge Creek.

Beveridge Williams, an engineering, infrastructure and land development consultancy, is managing the planning permit process on behalf of Council.

The facility will allow the separation of organic waste (such as food scraps and garden trimmings) from general waste. It can then be composted and turned into nutrient-rich soil, rather than being sent to landfill where it would otherwise generate methane emissions. The facility will continue to accept garden waste from the community, as is currently the case at the landfill.

The facility is designed to process up to 25,000 tonnes of garden organics (GO) and mixed food and garden organics (FOGO) waste each year. The process includes:

  • Covered, air-assisted bunkers for initial treatment of mixed organics,
  • Followed by open windrows for further compost maturation.

The facility will continue to accept garden waste from the community, as is currently the case at the landfill.


We welcome your continued interest in this initiative. Updates will be provided on Your Say. Please click 'Subscribe' at the top of the page to follow this project and receive important information directly to your inbox.

  • 📅 18 June 2025

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    The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has today commenced advertising of Council’s Development Licence Application for the establishment of a composting facility next to the Bairnsdale Regional Landfill, at 200 Johnstons Road, Forge Creek VIC 3875.

    EPA invites anyone who feels they may be affected by the proposed development activities to make a submission using the online form available at: https://engage.vic.gov.au/east-gippsland-shire-council-app041739

    EPA will consider submissions made before 11:59 pm, 10 July 2025 and they will notify all submitters of our decision.


    Notice of the License application and submission period has been published by the EPA in the Bairnsdale Advertiser.

  • FOGO Composting Facility community drop-in session

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    We are hosting a community drop-in session to share updates on the proposed Food and Garden Organics (FOGO) Composting Facility at Johnstons Road, Forge Creek, next to the Bairnsdale Regional Landfill.

    Thursday 12 June 2025
    1.00 pm - 7.00 pm
    Council Corporate Centre
    273 Main Street, Bairnsdale

    This informal session is an opportunity to:
    • View the revised site map, buffer map and updated odour modelling
    • Speak directly with the applicant and design consultants
    • Share your feedback on the amended plans

    The updated proposal has been revised following community submissions and feedback received at the March information session.

    Following this session, the amended designs will be submitted to Council’s Planning Team for consideration as part of the planning permit application.

    All community members are welcome to attend and learn more about the project. We hope to see you there and welcome your continued input into this important project. Enquiries: Alisanen Boag - Manager Planning, Beveridge Williams, boaga@bevwill.com.au.

    You can find out more about the proposal, and view plans and other supporting documentation at eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/building-and-development/advertised-planning-permit-applications.

  • 21 March 2025

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    A community information session was held Thursday 27 March regarding the planning permit application for a proposed organic composting facility next to Bairnsdale Regional Landfill, Johnstons Road, Forge Creek.

    Read more >>>

Page last updated: 18 Jun 2025, 09:52 PM