The Lilydale Waste to Energy (WTE) facility, delivered by Yarra Valley Water, represents a significant step forward in sustainable waste management for metropolitan Melbourne. The project utilises anaerobic digestion to process organic waste streams, converting them into biogas for renewable energy generation while reducing landfill reliance and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
The facility has been designed to accept a range of organic feedstocks, including food and commercial wastes, and integrates proven digestion technology with gas handling and energy recovery systems. The project required a complex approvals pathway, including environmental, planning, and multi-agency stakeholder engagement, reflecting the challenges of delivering circular economy infrastructure in a peri-urban setting.
Now in the commissioning phase, the facility is transitioning from construction to operations, with a strong focus on process optimisation, and reliable energy production. Early commissioning activities are validating design assumptions and providing insights into feedstock variability, process stability, and integration with existing utility operations.
This presentation outlines the end-to-end development of the project from business case through to operations, highlighting key lessons learned in procurement, stakeholder engagement, and risk management. It also explores the role of anaerobic digestion in supporting local government sustainability objectives and the broader transition to a low-carbon, resource-recovery future.