Farmer News
1 September, 2026
Council opens doors on landmark facility
FARMERS, producers and agribusinesses are invited behind the scenes of one of regional Victoria’s most significant waste-to resource projects.
Southern Grampians Shire Council will host a business breakfast and facility tour ahead of the official opening of the new Organics Waste Facility at the Hamilton Transfer station this spring.
The event, to be held on Thursday September 17 at the Speckled Frog in Hamilton, will give attendees the opportunity to hear directly from council and organics technology partner Gaia Envirotech about the innovative processing system soon to begin operating at the Hamilton Transfer Station, followed by a tour of the facility.
The new organics processing facility will convert food and garden waste, together with selected agricultural organic materials, into high-quality compost and soil products using advanced enclosed processing technology.
The project is expected to divert thousands of tonnes of organic material from landfill each year, creating valuable products that can be returned to local farms and landscapes while supporting a more circular regional economy.
With production expected to commence in late 2026, the breakfast offers industry stakeholders an opportunity to understand the technology, ask questions and inspect the facility before the first compost products are produced.
Southern Grampians Shire Council mayor Cr Dennis Heslin said the event reflected council’s commitment to working with industry from the outset.
“This is about building confidence in a new regional industry and letting the community in on the ground floor. This is a project we’re really proud of and excited about,” Cr Heslin said.
“We want to invite the people who may one day be end user of these products to see exactly how they’re made, understand the science behind the process and hear their thoughts.
“As industry insiders, and people who are already involved with the sector, their feedback is invaluable as we prepare to begin production.
“Ideally this will be a two-way conversation. We want to find people who may be interested in trialling the product and providing feedback on what they are looking for so we can best meet those needs.”
Guests will hear from representatives of Gaia Envirotech, who will explain the technology and science behind the process, while council staff will provide a progress update, production timeline and future opportunities for agriculture and industry.
Council is encouraging farmers, agricultural producers, industry representatives, businesses and environmental professionals to attend.
The event will run from 7.30am-9am at the Speckled Frog, Hamilton.
Bookings are essential and can be made on Eventbrite.