Proposed food & garden organics composting facility

The project team has now reviewed all feedback received so far and has resubmitted amended plans that incorporate changes to the proposal in response to community feedback.

What has changed?

We’ve listened carefully to community feedback and made significant improvements to the design to address your concerns.

• Odour monitoring –Council will establish real time odour monitoring devices as part of the construction of the composting facility.
• Greater separation from neighbours – The main facility has been moved further east, closer to the existing landfill and the maturation pads have changed orientation. These changes create more distance from the nearest dwelling. The shift in design has increased this distance to 850m (approx.).
• Enhanced screening and landscaping – Existing trees along Johnstons Road already help screen the site, and we’re adding rows of planted trees to further obscure views from the west and south. With these enhancements, the facility will be screened from all directions except when viewed from the landfill to the east.
• Protecting water quality for agriculture – We understand the importance of clean water and soils for local farms. While the original contact water dam of 2,200 kL would be sufficient for the facility, we have over-engineered this asset to substantially increase the capacity.
• Further stormwater runoff detention – Properties to the north of the subject site (situated on the lower slope the site’s surface water dam) were concerned regarding the clean water dam abutting the entry of the property. We emphasise that this dam will only include clean water runoff from the broader property and is separate from the proposed composting facility. To ensure the detention of all stormwater, the clean water dam has significantly expanded in area from 1330 sqm to 2600 sqm. Furthermore, in the unlikely event of overflow, the dam will drain to low-lying land on the property, rather than external to the site.

What's happening next?

The revised plans are currently on public exhibition. Community members are invited to learn more about the proposed organic composting facility, and provide comment if they choose to.

See below image showing updated site layout for the proposed facility.

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.

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.

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.

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