Circular Economy Organics Council Fund

The Circular Economy Organics Council Fund aimed to assist Local Governments and the Alpine Resorts Victoria Board to increase their use of recycled kerbside organic products in council and community settings.

The recommended projects will support Victorian councils to build and diversify end markets for recycled organics by increasing the use of recycled composts and composted mulches, increasing circular procurement in councils, and raising awareness on suitable applications and the benefits of using recycled kerbside organics to the community. 

Projects include activities to educate and upskill council parks and gardens officers, support for community engagement via workshops and community garden activities and educational outputs to promote and highlight the circularity of recycled kerbside organic products.

Fund recipients

Announcement date: 17 October 2024

Brimbank City Council

This project aims to improve the soil on 75 of Brimbank’s council managed roundabouts to enhance water holding capacity, build soil carbon and increase available nutrients. Using recycled compost prior to planting will improve plant health, reduce watering and plant replacement.

Funding amount $100,000.00

City of Greater Geelong

The project aims to take recycled organics from trials to standard procedures in council settings by developing a raised garden blend and a potting mix to use at the Geelong Botanical gardens and offers a significant opportunity to communicate the role recycled organics plays in soil health to council and the community.

Funding amount $43,520

City of Yarra

Yarra’s Full cycle FOGO project will emphasise the impacts of minimal contamination by showcasing the best-case outcomes within the community, highlighting the use of FOGO in our own community gardens, street side planter boxes, and parks and gardens.

Funding amount $49,900

East Gippsland Shire Council

East Gippsland Shire Council aims to complete a compost batch trial and move towards large scale application to council land for soil improvement and carbon sequestering, in planting and biodiversity projects. The trial will produce different mixtures of kerbside garden organics products.

Funding amount $37,000

Hepburn Shire Council

The Optimising compost quality for beneficial applications project will deliver a scientifically rigorous study of soil and tree health after applying compost to a range of Council-managed parks and open spaces.

Funding amount: $92,949

Monash City Council

Monash aims to return nutrients to soil in Monash and embed the use of recycled compost on Council parks and gardens and build community trust in using the kerbside Fogo service. This project will enable council teams to purchase compost and build the business case for continued use.

Funding amount $100,000

Stonnington City Council

Stonnington’s Parks team will be engaged to trial the use of recycled organics in garden beds at different locations, conducting regular assessments to monitor the suitability of each product.

Funding amount $56,746

Strathbogie Shire Council

The Circular Gardens: Boosting Biodiversity with Recycled Compost project aims to boost biodiversity in the region with the supply of compost made from household food and garden waste.

Funding amount $30,000