The $515,000 project will enable greater separation of recyclable and various other waste streams, and encourage the community to build on existing recovery rates. 

Additional construction and engineering jobs will be created during the construction phase.

The project has already commenced, and is expected to be complete by June 2020.

It will serve as a model site for improvements to other rural transfer stations and if successful, the project will potentially be rolled-out to other sites across Victoria. 

The project recently received a state government grant worth $160,000, which Ararat Rural City Council, who oversee the facility, welcomed. 

“This project is to upgrade the transfer station to a best practice resource recovery centre to service Lake Bolac and surrounding communities; the project is part of Council's long-term plan for waste services across the municipality," chief executive Dr Tim Harrison said. 

"Plans for the resource recovery centre will also include a small number of additional staff, a re-use shed and education, in conjunction with the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, around best practice recycling and composting techniques.

"This is an exciting project for Lake Bolac and the Ararat Rural City municipality.

“It will enable Council to provide a facility that will benefit the environment through the recovery of commingled recycling, organics, e-waste and other materials that would otherwise end up in landfill." 

Energy, Climate Change and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the project was one of 20 across the state, which are expected to divert over 350,000 tonnes of waste from landfill per annum.

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