Biochar Facility

Biochar is a carbon-rich product made from woody material, such as branches and pruned material. The waste is transformed into biochar at high temperatures in a low oxygen environment, during a process known as “Pyrolysis”

The biochar product can be used to promote healthy plant growth and capture carbon:

• In Council tree planting projects
• On farms and in gardens

Biochar is a soil enhancer. When applied correctly it makes available nutrients and moisture for healthy plant growth, its production draws down net carbon from the atmosphere and creates employment opportunities.

The process of creating biochar also can contribute to improved air quality, through reduced burning off.

Council’s Liveable Climate Plan states that Council intends to be sourcing 100% renewable energy by 2030 and be at Net Zero Emissions by 2040. A future enhancement of the facility will see the heat energy produced converted into electricity.

The Yarra Ranges region has a lot of woody material, some of which is disposed of through open air burning or being chipped for mulch. By establishing a biochar facility, we can produce a high value product from low value woody material.

Council is committed to mitigating climate change and offering innovative support for our local farming and horticulture community, along with home growers in the region.

Biomass is a term used to describe the biological source or feedstock to produce biochar. In this case the biomass is woody material from fallen trees and branches from road reserves, parks and gardens that in turn gets turned into biochar.

• Fallen branches from gardens, reserves and roadsides.
• Pruned material from farms, roadsides and back yards.

Council’s preference is for the woody material to be sourced from within the Yarra Ranges or neighbouring local government areas.

It is expected that approximately 1000m3 of biochar can be produced each year, or the equivalent of 9 -10 double decker buses.

Emissions are extremely low and are within EPA guidelines.

It is not expected that there will be any noticeable odours from the facility.

The noise from plant and machinery is not expected to be noticeable outside the Waste Transfer Station.

Normal operating hours will be from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday. It is not expected that the facility will be in operation during the weekend though Council reserves the right to allow weekend operation in accordance with the current permissible operating hours of the Waste Transfer Station.

There will be several pieces of plant used on site. The main “continuous” plant will be housed under a special roofed structure with an area of less than 100 square metres.

This will all be contained on the existing Lysterfield Waste Transfer Station.

It is expected that there will be approximately two truckloads per day, bringing in woody material to the site.

In the first stage the facility will not be available for the general public to use.

No.

This initiative is funded by $500,000 from the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and Council matching this.

The Lysterfield Waste Transfer Station was chosen as it is a Council owned facility, with 3 phase electricity supply and current waste operations on site. The site off Wellington Rd is easily accessible from the Dandenong Ranges and also neighbouring local government areas of Knox and Cardinia.