Long-term FOGO processor appointed

Worm Tech Pty Ltd will continue to process Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) material on a two-year contract with three one-year options.

Wagga Wagga City Council’s new kerbside waste service was rolled out in April, with waste such as fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, egg shells and dairy products able to be disposed of in the green-lid bin, along with garden waste.

Worm Tech Pty Ltd have been processing FOGO material into high quality compost at its Carrathool site on a short-term contract while Council negotiated a long-term arrangement with a number of interested businesses.

“This is a great outcome for the community as it allowed us to ensure we get the best value for the ratepayers’ dollar,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Greg Conkey OAM said.

“The data we’ve received from Worm Tech since April has shown the community has gotten behind the new kerbside waste service.

“In the first six months, 4567 tonnes of FOGO material has been composted instead of going to landfill.

“Our aim by April 2019 is 10,000 tonnes and I encourage everyone in the community to keep up the good work and help fight the war on waste.”

Along with helping the environment, reducing waste to landfill has financial benefits. A waste cell costs about $4M and Wagga Wagga was producing enough waste to build a new cell every four to five years.

With a long-term FOGO processor locked in, even more types of waste can be disposed of in your green-lid bin. In addition to your food and garden waste, Worm Tech Pty Ltd accepts such items as wooden skewers or popsicle sticks, cardboard takeaway containers and pizza boxes, paper towel and napkins, tissues and newspaper.

Kerbside waste service tender timeline

April 2017:

• Tenders open for waste collection, recycling processing and FOGO processing

July 2017:

• Tenders for waste collection and recycling processing awarded to JJ Richards and Sons Pty Ltd Kurrajong Recyclers respectively at the July Ordinary Council Meeting
• One conforming and one non-conforming tender received for FOGO processing, with Council initially resolving to negotiate a competitive tender

September 2017:

• Council resolves to seek fresh tenders for the acceptance and processing of FOGO at the September Ordinary Council Meeting, with the aim of encouraging further competition.

December 2017:

• A budget variation of $78,000 was approved at the December Ordinary Council Meeting for the preparation of the new FOGO tender, including cost of the legal, technical and probity advisors.

January 2018:

• New tender for the acceptance and processing of Food Organics and Garden Organics open from 13 January. The new tender included multiple contract options, including short-term and seven-year contracts, as well as up to five hectares of land for lease at Gregadoo Waste Management Centre to assist with the set up of a new facility.

February 2018:

• Council resolves to enter direct negotiations with unsuccessful tenderers and third parties.

March 2018:

• Worm Tech Pty Ltd awarded a short-term contract while negotiations with interested business for a long-term contract take place.

October 2018:

• Worm Tech Pty Ltd awarded a two-year contract with three one-year options.