Renewable Organics Network

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Barwon Water is partnering with major businesses and local councils on two Renewable Organics Network (RON). These projects will leverage existing water and sewerage infrastructure to reduce the organic waste that currently goes to landfill, create clean renewable energy, reduce costs, generate jobs and drive economic growth in the region.

Involved alongside Barwon Water are the five councils within the G21 region - City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe and Golden Plains Shire – as well as neighbouring Wyndham City Council and major export manufacturers.

This Australian-first project in Colac aims to not only convert organic municipal, commercial and sewerage waste to dispatchable renewable energy but also recycle the waste into value add by-products such as soil enhancers for agricultural purposes.

Information Hub

Want to know more? Check out the information hub to view the fact sheets and other supporting documents.


Community Information Session

Did you miss the Community Information Session? You can now watch it here:


Barwon Water is partnering with major businesses and local councils on two Renewable Organics Network (RON). These projects will leverage existing water and sewerage infrastructure to reduce the organic waste that currently goes to landfill, create clean renewable energy, reduce costs, generate jobs and drive economic growth in the region.

Involved alongside Barwon Water are the five councils within the G21 region - City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe and Golden Plains Shire – as well as neighbouring Wyndham City Council and major export manufacturers.

This Australian-first project in Colac aims to not only convert organic municipal, commercial and sewerage waste to dispatchable renewable energy but also recycle the waste into value add by-products such as soil enhancers for agricultural purposes.

Information Hub

Want to know more? Check out the information hub to view the fact sheets and other supporting documents.


Community Information Session

Did you miss the Community Information Session? You can now watch it here:


  • Recording - Community Information Session - 15 September 2020

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    A live community information session was held on 15 September 2020.

    The webinar was led by Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter and General Manager for Infrastructure and Technology Shaun Cumming.

    Representatives from Bulla Dairies, Australian Lamb Company and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning also formed part of the panel.

    This information session provided:

    • an overview of the Renewable Organics Network concept
    • an update of the Colac and Regional projects
    • answers to attendees questions

    To view the recording, click here.

    We had a number of great questions asked throughout the webinar and are working on responding to these. They will be uploaded to this page over the coming weeks.

  • Community Information Session - 15 September 2020

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    supporting image

    Barwon Water is leading the Australian-first Renewable Organics Networks in Colac. Barwon Water is working with major business and councils to change the way we process organic material to generate renewable energy.

    A recording of the webinar from Tuesday 15 September will be available soon.

    Barwon Water is helping the Victorian Government power a jobs and renewable energy boom in the state’s south west thanks to the nation’s first Renewable Organics Networks.

  • Latest News - Colac RON

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    26 August, 2020

    In an Australian first, Barwon Water is partnering with two major Australian exporters to deliver the Colac Renewable Energy Network (formerly known as Colac WEB).

    Construction is currently underway at the Colac Water Reclamation Plant to enable acceptance of higher-strength organic waste from the Australian Lamb Company (ALC) and Bulla Dairy Foods, and the subsequent production of electricity and hot water via biogas cogeneration technology.

    Construction of the facility is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022, with the cogen installation completed by December 2020.

    Benefits of the Colac Renewable Organics Network include:

    • For the manufacturers, the Colac Renewable Energy Network creates a circular economy, where waste production generates savings on electricity and heating bills and reduces their carbon emissions.
    • For Barwon Water customers, the energy created can be used to power (and reduce intensive energy costs for) the Colac Water Reclamation Plant, keeping our bills affordable.

  • Latest news - Regional RON

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link
    26 August, 2020

    Barwon Water is currently working with six councils (City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Borough of Queenscliffe, Colac Otway Shire, Golden Plains Shire and Wyndham City Council) to investigate opportunities for a Renewable Organic Network for the region.

    There are currently three phases to this investigation with Phase One completed in June 2020.

    The three phases include:

    • Phase One (complete): Longlist options development
    • Phase Two (current): Shortlist options development
    • Phase Three (from September 2020): Viability analysis