ORGANIC waste processor BioGro says it is co-operating with the Environment Protection Authority after a fire at its Newbridge facility.
The fire that jumped Yorkshire Road and destroyed 85 hectares of farmland, including stored grain and fencing, triggered renewed community concern about litter and odour from the site.
The EPA last week said it intended to issue the company with notices an analysis of the fire and identification of the cause for the fire and actions required to prevent future occurrences, and a plan to process and remove the oversized material stockpiled at the site.
“As a family-owned company committed to responsible environmental management and sustainable organic waste processing, BioGro takes these matters very seriously,” managing director Stephen Van Schaik said.
“Our initial findings suggest that the origin of the fire was not in the composting process. We are reviewing the cause of the fire in accordance with industry best practise and all safety procedures to avoid further risks. 
“It is important to clarify that BioGro adheres to strict industry standards and regulatory guidelines for organic waste processing.
“The recent State Government grant awarded to us has supported significant investment and upgrades to the Newbridge facility, which now allows increased processing capacity and ultimately supports government policy to divert 50 per cent of Victoria’s organic material from landfill by 2030. 
“It is scientifically proven that organic waste entering landfills has a significant and detrimental impact to the environment and is not sustainable in the long term,” BioGro said.
Mr Van Shaik said continued strategic investment into the Newbridge facility ensured BioGro remained a leader in organic resource recovery, increasing circular economy initiatives, and allows our company to provide continued sustainable organic waste solutions.
“We are proudly committed to supporting the local Newbridge community and its surrounds. We employ over 35 staff (and growing), engage many local subcontractors and support many other local businesses,” he said.
“Our company also values our contribution to many of the local sporting and community clubs and understand that this commitment has a real positive impact on the overall fabric of regional communities.”
Mr Van Shaik said: “We have enjoyed collaborating with and will continue to collaborate with the local farming sector through extensive trialling of our products to enhance crop growth and improve yields. Bio Gro is committed to the long term benefits it can provide to sustainable agriculture for the region.
“We welcome community engagement and remain committed to transparency and continual improvement in our practices. 
“Bio Gro will continue to engage with authorities, emergency services, and residents to address concerns and understand the cause of the incident.”
Mr Van Shaik said BioGro acknowledged the efforts of the CFA firefighters who responded to the incident. 
“Their swift action and dedication were instrumental in helping our staff contain the fire,” he said.
More than 30 units and aerial support tackled the fire, including three brigades brought in as overnight relief as compost piles continued to smoulder.
Loddon Shire’s Tarnagulla Ward councillor Nick Angelo last week said he received a number of inquiries about various community concerns following the recent incident. While most community concerns related to EPA matters, Cr Angelo has requested council officers to consider if the site is compliant with the Planning and Environment Act