Compost Australia > Current activities

Quarterly updates

Industry Roadmap program

Information access programs

Background to establishment of Compost Australia

Annual Industry Survey

Quarterly Updates

Brief Quarterly Updates on industry activities at national and state levels are available online.

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Industry Roadmap program

Compost Australia is currently planning a major national program of workshops for nationwide roll out in urban and regional centres. Funding has been finalised for this industry Roadmap Program, which will:

  • Finalise the establishment of the industry organisation;
  • Inform the industry development plan.

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Information access programs

Compost Australia is actively supporting increased access to information relating to the recovery and management of compostable organic materials and the manufacture and use of recycled organics products. Compost Australia is encouraging research organisations and government agencies to contribute to:

  • The Recycled Organics Clearinghouse, listing current research activities and government programs; and
  • The www.rolibrary.com on-line catalogue, which provides access to relevant information resources from completed research projects and government programs.

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Background to establishment of Compost Australia

In August 2002, industry leaders convened a national 3-day strategic planning forum for the recycled organics industry in Canberra. This forum was well attended by representatives from organics processing enterprises and associated industry stakeholders from across Australia.

The resulting draft strategic plan endorsed the establishment of a national industry organisation. It was agreed that Compost Australia was to be a processor driven organisation, and the strategic plan documented agreed priorities for the organisation:

1. Establish industry organisation
  • Build organisational structure and define objectives
  • Develop and implement targeted communication program
  • Develop and implement a financial plan

2. Establish and implement industry development plan
  • Define Industry Policy Position and Advocate for Government Implementation
  • Develop product marketing plan
  • Catalyse strategic research
  • Develop product standards and encourage their adoption
  • Establish Collaborative Relationships

To confirm common objectives, issues, and priorities nationwide, in 2003 Compost Australia conducted the first national industry survey. This survey built on the strategic plan and identified the following clear and unequivocal priorities for the industry:

To establish agricultural market demand via:

  • Financial incentives for growers (grower rebate to overcome lack of farm gate affordability);
  • Targeted research and development (quantifying cost-benefit to growers in support of agriculture market development; new product development); and
  • Address regulatory inconsistencies that are contributing to market distortions (in consultation with industry).

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Annual Industry Survey

Current activities are informed by the priorities identified through these prior consultative processes. Compost Australia intends to conduct an annual industry survey, to ensure ongoing relevance of activities to the needs and priorities of the industry.

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Last updated July 16, 2004