Brown out: Barrett Burston general manager Noel Johnson and Water Minister Peter Walsh with before and after samples of the company’s waste discharge.
By John Van Klaveren
AN INDUSTRIAL business in North Geelong has been producing as much waste-water as 450 households, the launch of a new plant heard this week.
But Water Minister Peter Walsh said the $2.4 million project at Barrett Burston Malting would result in “significant” savings.
The Geelong Maltings Water Recovery Project would reduce up to 55 per cent of Barrett Burston’s consumption and discharge, Mr Walsh said.
“With Barwon Water setting an industry target reduction of up to 25 per cent by 2015, we are well on the road to achieving this.”
“This project will reduce potable water use by up to 135 megalitres a year and reduce trade waste discharge by around 140 megalitres a year.”
Mr Ryan said Regional Development Victoria provided $1 million to the project from its $1 billion Regional Growth Fund.
Barrett Burston general manager Noel Johnson said the wastewater plant treated 500,000 litres a day.
“This is an excellent example of government and business working together to achieve an outcome that works for business and the community,” Mr Johnson said.
“This project is a demonstration of our commitment to our Geelong plant and cements it as one of the leading malt houses in the country.
“Our plant is working a full capacity producing 100,000 tonnes of malt a year with around a third exported to international customers.”
Barrett Burston is part of GrainCorp.
