What is the Recycling Victoria Organics Sector Transformation Fund?
The Recycling Victoria Organics Sector Transformation Fund is a program that supports the diversion of organic waste from landfill and the enhancement of end markets for recycled organics across the agricultural sector.
Background
$10.2 million is currently available under round 1 for organic processing businesses to develop new or enhance existing organic processing infrastructure to improve product quality or increase capacity.
Through this fund, applicants will also be considered for additional support from Australian Government’s Food Waste for Healthy Soils Fund. Sustainability Victoria will assess and select applicants through a competitive and merit-based process to be considered for the Australian Government’s Fund. Sustainability Victoria will be responsible for submitting the application on behalf of the applicant.
Sustainability Victoria and Australian Government funding will need to be at least matched by the Applicant on a minimum 1:1:1 basis.
Future funding will be available to support the growth of recycled organic end markets to use the increased supply of better-quality products; it will open in 2022.
Objectives
The Recycling Victoria Organics Sector Transformation Fund aims to:
- increase the recovery and reprocessing of source separated organic waste into quality composts and soil conditioners
- increase the use and market demand of the end products, especially for use on agricultural soils
- support employment and long-term economic growth and development.
- support Victoria’s transition to a circular economy
This will be achieved by funding projects that build new or enhance existing organic processing infrastructure:
- to increase capacity
- to improve product quality through the installation of decontamination infrastructure or the procurement of technical equipment that improves product quality, including product testing.
Funding
Eligible Projects
Applications must be:
- a project that builds new or enhances existing organics processing infrastructure to either:
- increase capacity, or
- improve product quality through the installation of decontamination infrastructure or the procurement of technical equipment, including product testing
- a project(s) that had a confirmed investment decision made on or later than 15 April 2021 and will be commissioned and operational by 30 March 2024
- a proposed project that is expected to be economically viable over its operational life.
Eligible recycled organic processing infrastructure include:
- aerobic composting
- anaerobic digestion.
Special conditions apply to Australian Government-funded projects where the funding is for construction or building work and the Australian Government funding is at least $10 million. You and your subcontractors will need to comply with the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016.
You can submit multiple applications. Each application must be for a different project. An application must not be for multiple projects.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible organisations are:
- organic processing businesses such as:
- commercial composting facilities (in-vessel and open windrow)
- anaerobic digestors
- Victorian local government
- Victorian Water Corporations.
Eligible organisations must be able to confirm that their proposed project diverts organic waste that would otherwise go to landfill and also produces outputs that can be safely used on soils.
Applicants must:
- currently produce or will produce recycled organic products or value-add to recycled organic products
- have an existing facility located in Victoria or the intent to build a facility in Victoria
- have a current Australian Business Number (ABN) with an operating history of a minimum of 2 years
- be registered for GST
- not be insolvent
- not have any owner or director who is an undischarged bankrupt.
Applicants can establish collaborative relationships with other organisations as required to support project delivery and maximise the project’s impact. Applicants will need to clarify the nature of its relationships with other organisations and demonstrate their commitments to the project. These other organisations will be considered as Project Partners.
Timing
Applications close 18 November 2021.
