E17862 Expression of Interest
E17862 Expression of Interest – Distribution of FOGO Compost/Soil Conditioner
The Rural City of Wangaratta is excited to announce an opportunity for businesses to partner with us in a groundbreaking initiative to enhance soil health and promote sustainable practices. We invite interested businesses to submit their proposed purchase pricing (per tonne) for our high-quality Council FOGO compost.
Produced right here at the Wangaratta Organics Processing Facility, our FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) compost is a premium soil conditioner/blender, designed to be applied at a low rate to significantly improve water retention and overall soil vitality.
Unlock the Potential of Your Soil: Product Benefits
Our FOGO compost offers a wealth of advantages for various applications:
- Increases Soil Organic Matter: Enriches your soil with vital organic content, fostering a healthier growing environment.
- Improves Water Retention: Helps your soil hold onto moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering and improving plant resilience.
- Improves Degraded or Poor Soil Structure: Rebuilds and strengthens weakened soil, leading to better aeration and root development.
- Environmentally Friendly Alternative to Synthetic Fertilizer: A natural and sustainable choice that minimizes environmental impact.
- Valuable Source of Food for Soil Microbes: Feeds the beneficial microorganisms that are essential for nutrient cycling and soil health.
- Can Be Used as a Soil Conditioner or Composted Mulch: Versatile for various gardening and agricultural needs.
Join Our Market Trial: A Partnership for a Greener Future
We're launching an Expression of Interest (EOI) to establish a trial distributorship, focusing on two key areas: urban domestic application (nursery) and an agricultural field trial. This initial trial period will extend for 6 months, with a potential 6-month extension based on success.
Your proposed purchase pricing will be evaluated within the context of our market trial's ambitious goals:
- Determine Market Demand: Understand the local demand for Council-produced FOGO compost among nursery distributors and their customers.
- Evaluate Effectiveness: Assess how well our compost improves soil health and crop yields in agricultural settings specific to the Wangaratta region.
- Gather Data: Collect insights on application rates, usage patterns, and user feedback within our local market.
- Assess Commercial Viability: Explore the potential for a sustainable and commercially viable compost distribution program that benefits the Rural City of Wangaratta.
- Identify Contamination Issues: Gather real-world data on any contamination issues that may arise from purchaser application.
- Educate the Public: Determine the most effective methods for public education regarding the benefits and proper use of our compost.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
We invite interested businesses to contact the Rural City of Wangaratta Waste Team to discuss this exciting opportunity further on (03) 5722 8135 or email waste@wangaratta.vic.gov.au
What is the FOGO compost made from?
Our FOGO compost is 100% organic, derived from a blend of raw and/or composted natural organic materials collected from residential kerbside FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) services. This includes food scraps (even meat and dairy), out-of-date food, garden prunings, lawn clippings, and weeds.
Will the compost contain any non-organic materials?
Due to the recycled nature of the input materials, the final compost product may contain low levels of plastic, glass, and metal contaminants. This is an inherent part of the product's composition, and distributors acknowledge and accept this condition.
What is the purpose of this trial?
The trial aims to determine the market demand for our FOGO compost, evaluate its effectiveness in improving soil health and crop yields, gather data on application rates and user feedback, assess the potential for a sustainable distribution program, identify any contamination issues in real-world application, and determine the best public education methods.
How long will the trial period last?
The initial trial period will be 6 months, commencing early in the 25/26 financial year. There is a possibility for a 6-month extension based on the success of the initial trial.
What happens after the trial period?
Upon completion of the trial period, Council may, at its sole discretion, offer a standard distributorship agreement, extend the trial period, or terminate the relationship.
Is this an exclusive distributorship?
No, Council will appoint distributors on a non-exclusive basis within the Rural City of Wangaratta. Council retains the right to sell products directly or through other distributors.
How will purchase pricing be determined?
Purchase pricing will be based on the outcome of the Expression of Interest (EOI) process.
What are the payment terms for purchased compost?
Payment terms are 30 days from the date of invoice.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted online via Eprocure. As a minimum, please provide the following information:
Business Profile (For All Applicants)
- Business Name
- Australian Business Number (ABN) or equivalent.
- Contact Details: Address, phone, email, website.
- Brief Overview: Tell us about your business experience and capabilities.
- Key Personnel: Who will be involved in the proposed trial?
- Financial Capacity: Do you have the financial resources to undertake this trial?
For Distributors (Nursery Focus)
- Existing Distribution Channels: Detail your current channels to local markets.
- Geographic Coverage: Which areas within the Wangaratta region do you cover?
- Proposed Strategies: Outline your marketing and sales strategies for FOGO compost to nurseries and their customers.
- Relevant Experience: Provide evidence of experience in distributing and marketing similar soil amendment products or horticultural supplies.
- Success Stories: Share examples of successful product launches or market penetration.
For Agricultural Enterprises (Field Trial Focus)
- Agricultural Trial Experience: Detail your experience in agricultural trials or working with local farmers.
- Soil Health Understanding: Demonstrate your understanding of soil health principles and compost benefits in agricultural settings relevant to the Wangaratta region.
- Suitable Sites: Do you have access to suitable agricultural sites for conducting field trials within the region?
- Proposed Field Trial Design: Briefly outline your proposed trial, including:
- Crop(s) to be trialled.
- Application rates that can be achieved (mention available machinery).
Council will evaluate EOIs based on the criteria outlined in this document, focusing on experience and capacity to successfully partner in the trial.
How can I contact the Council for more information?
You can contact the Rural City of Wangaratta Waste Team at (03) 5722 8135 or waste@wangaratta.vic.gov.au
RCoW-FOGO-Compost-Soil-Conditioner-Flyer.pdf(PDF, 232KB)