Van Schaik’s Bio Gro will upgrade its infrastructure and processing capacity, thanks to funding from the Federal Government’s Food Waste for Healthy Soils Fund.

The $1m investment will enable an additional 100,000 tonnes of organics to be processed and more sufficient management of contamination at the Wandilo facility.

Van Schaik’s Bio Gro Managing Director Stephen Van Schaik said they currently processed around 350,000 tonnes a year and this project would increase their capacity by 20% to 25%.

“The project in principle is to divert an amount of organic waste away from landfill,” he said.

“From an employment perspective, we envision that we will employ another five to six people, so that’s great for a small city like Mount Gambier.

“We really appreciate the fact that we have been supported by government, both state and federal.”

Member for Barker Tony Pasin visited Bio Gro last week to officially announce the project.

Mr Pasin said while increasing the region’s organic waste diversion rate, the project would create jobs during construction and ongoing.

“South Australia leads the nation in the recovery and processing of organic material so it is fitting that some of the first projects announced under the fund are based in our state and in Barker,” Mr Pasin said.

“We are investing to increase the quantity, safety and consistency of recycled organic waste especially for use in the agriculture industry.”