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Loddon HERALD Vol 3 No 35, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 ISSN 2653-1550
JOB BONANZA Two companies eyeing summer expansion
THE workforce at two major Loddon rural enterprises will more than double by Christmas. Hay Australia has started a recruitment campaign to find 27 new workers for the summer processing season at Bridgewater. And organics processor Biogrow expects to triple staff numbers at its Newbridge plant when a multi-million dollar expansion is completed later this year. The South Australian-owned company took over the former ScatoPlus site last year and says the local workforce will grow from 15 to more than 40 when specialist equipment arrives from Canada. Bridgewater is one of four processing sites operated by Hay Australia. Site manager Scott Cannon, said the company planned to grow the local workforce from 23 to 50 ahead of a predicted lift in hay to be processed this year. Biogrow’s group operations manager Sage Hahn said the Victorian expansion would see five million bags of mulch, potting
mix, compost and soil processed and packed at Newbridge. The company is already receiving green waste from City of Greater Bendigo and agricultural waste from Hazeldenes. B-Double trucks will also deliver bark chip residue from forests in South Australia. Ms Hahn said the 3000 square metre building would house two processing plants - the one imported from Canada and other relocated from Mt Gambier. She said more than 150,000 tonnes of waste would be organically composted to Australian standards in a process that took between six and 12 weeks. Ms Hahn said current processing and packaging of the 25-litre bags destined for garden suppliers was at the company’s Mt Gambier sites. But the new building would increase production capacity. Expansion has been supported by a $1.69 million grant from Sustainability Victoria. Ms Hahn said staff would be recruited this year for training before the new plant became operational in March.
Biogrow’s Sage Hahn prepares for completion of the multi-million expansion at Newbridge and arrival of specialist equipment from Canada. LH PHOTO
Town prepares for bumper crowd at season finale
One of the Pyramid Hill posters removed from the roadside
WINTER sport will wrap-up in the Loddon on Saturday when Boort hosts the 2023 North Central league finals. Local club officials have spent the week finalising volunteer rosters for the season finale that will feature four Boort teams - three netball and the under 17 footballers. “We are expecting a bumper crowd at Boort Park,” said Pies’ president Kane Arnold. “There’s been an amazing response from club
members and supporters to play their part in staging a successful day that will bring people from across northern Victoria.” He also predicts a large contingent of fans from Loddon Valley league clubs in the crowd following that competition’s grand finals last weekend. Meanwhile, Loddon Valley runnersup Pyramid Hill were doubly disappointed when players returned home to find signs
made by local school children and erected around town had disappeared. “These young people poured their hearts and souls into boosting community spirit. Your dedication didn’t go unnoticed, and we’re proud to have such community minded youngsters in our midst, said club said. “Many hours were spent sewing, painting and putting these together and we would appreciate them being returned.”
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