NNNorthern Valley News Gingin Science Festival
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Full program Page 8
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2015
Taste of Chittering
Norcia • Regans Ford • Wannamal
August
Bindoon • Bullsbrook • Calingiri • Chittering • Gingin • Muchea • Mooliabeenie • New
The science of compost Tamieka Preston
An unassuming business situated north of Gingin is combining the very latest in scientific technology with one of nature’s most basic chemical processes to create products benefitting the environment in a number of ways. Drawing on waste products from local farms Garden Organics, a subsidiary of the Brunnings group, mixes and processes composts, manures and mulches for domestic and horticultural use. The operation at the 540 hectare site is surprisingly grand scale – they currently sell around 500,000 bags of organically certified garden products per year via large chain stores such as Coles, Kmart, Bunnings and Masters. A process General Manager Donovan Farrell refers to as ‘putting the Gingin gold into Perth metro’. Mr Farrell invested in the Australia-wide company when he immigrated to Perth from South Africa, and although compost production is just one aspect of the company’s business, it’s one which he has become passionate about. “We are blessed with some great growing conditions here in Gingin, an abundance of underground water and a warm climate – the gutless sand is a good medium, but it doesn’t hold on to water. A well-composted product that is blended into the soil will hold on to water and nutrients – making them available to plants so they are not washing into the water table,” he says.
Donovan Farrell with the Garden Organics ‘robot’. matter to complete the mix.
The process of composting occurs naturally in the environment as nature’s way of He is equally passionate about helping local recycling nutrients. Essentially organic waste is broken down by micro-organisms into farmers sustainably manage their waste simpler substances which are then consumed products. “The stable fly issue is a big one by invertebrates (such as earthworms). The here. We are saying to farmers – we can get resulting nutrients are returned to the soil to the waste off your land and process for you”. Garden Organics is currently utilising chicken support plant growth. The process is aerobic (requiring oxygen) and can take months in a manure from local poultry farms, cattle manure from the Muchea stockyards and olive outdoor environment. pressings from Tanners olive farm. They have To accelerate this process, Garden Organics long-term plans to grow their own carbon has built a state-of-the-art drying shed which
mimics the natural environment – with a few improvements. Up to 700 cubic ton of raw material can be fully pasturised in just four weeks inside the massive shed which conceals a web of underground tubing blowing hot air up through the floor. Moisture is added from boom sprayers above. The closed system also minimises odour and risks from pathogens during the decomposition. This progressive company has also invested heavily in a machine at the top of the technology ladder – an ‘automated bagging system’ which is essentially a larger-than-life
robot. This machine is capable of working day and night carefully picking up the sealed bags from a conveyer belt and stacking them neatly on pallets, vastly increasing productivity and efficiency in the warehouse. As part of the Gingin Science Festival, Garden Organics will open the doors to their operation at Aurich Rd, Gingin on Thursday 27 August and 3 September from 10.00 – 12.00. Interested members of the public are invited to come along and see the robot in action, as well as learn about the science of compost. COUNTRY PROPERTY EXPERTS
cvcp.com.au
COUNTRY PROPERTY EXPERTS
BINDOON vista $109,000 to $199,000
bindoon
$315,000
gingin
$450,000
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This beautiful residential estate is located on a gentle rise overlooking the Chittering Valley, on the edge of the Bindoon township. • Fully serviced lots from 1,000m2 to 2,790m2 • Beautiful views • Walk to all town amenities • Ready to build – Titles available now!
21 Hidaway Drive • Best parkland cleared block in Bindoon • Huge shed with amenities • Tanks & septics in place • Excellent fencing • Retaining Walls • House site ready for pad
23 Jones St • 4 Bed 2 bath fibro/iron home on 2776sqm block. • Located in a quite cul di sac overlooking Gingin Brook • Walking distance to all towns’ amenities. • Great investment. Currently rented at $350 p/w
93 Yarawinda Rd • Spacious two-story barn-style house. Large open kitchen, living and dining room plus 4 big bed/rs. • Massive outdoor patio, measuring about 200m2. • Beautifully maintained gardens including a netted mixed fruit orchard and grape vine. • Perfect for a family or retired couple.
Craig Hyne 0448 825 833
Amy McAuliffe 0400 298 884
Tom Cabassi 0429 095 864
Craig Hyne 0448 825 833
GINGIN: 9575 2566
BINDOON: 9576 0626