Following the successful completion of the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase, Topsoil Organics, in partnership with OREZ, is proud to announce the commencement of Detailed Engineering for the expansion of its Forbes integrated resource recovery infrastructure and bioenergy hub

A strategically designed facility delivering large-scale organics processing and renewable gas production. This milestone marks the project’s transition into its final design and procurement stage, solidifying its position as one of Australasia’s most advanced Integrated Resource Recovery Hubs for commercial and industrial food organics processing (and renewable gas projects.

This project represents a major expansion of Topsoil Organics’ existing, purpose-built Organic Recycling Facility (ORF) in Forbes. Already a leader in regional resource recovery, the facility is being transformed into a state-of-the-art Bioenergy Facility (BF) through the integration of advanced Anaerobic Digestion (AD) technology.

The facility is purpose-built to address the critical infrastructure deficit in New South Wales as the state moves toward its 2030 goal of halving organics to landfill. Starting July 1, 2026, new NSW mandates will require large-scale Commercial and Industrial (C&I) waste generators, including supermarkets and hospitality venues, to source-separate food organics.

Topsoil Organics is uniquely positioned to lead this transition. The facility is being designed to receive and process 60,000 tonnes per annum of packaged C&I food organics. Leveraging Topsoil’s established collection and transport business, the project is designed to deliver a  fully integrated resource recovery solution: collecting organic material directly from major retail and commercial partners across regional and metropolitan markets and transporting it to the Forbes facility for high-efficiency processing.

To ensure long-term operational credibility, Topsoil Organics has secured a number of multi-year feedstock agreements with a share of major regional NSW retail chains, including leading national supermarket and grocery brands. These agreements are expected to provide a consistent and reliable stream of organic material, supporting project stability and contributing to a steady supply of renewable energy.

The expansion will integrate anaerobic digestion technology with Topsoil’s existing composting operations.

Key technical highlights from the newly completed design include: 

• Advanced Receival & de-packaging: High-volume receival tanks equipped with automated de-packaging technology to separate organic material from plastic and cardboard packaging with a high level of purity.
• Integrated Pasteurisation System: A dedicated pasteurisation unit designed to treat organic material at 70°C for one hour (as per regulatory requirements), supporting the production of safe and compliant fertiliser and digestate products.
• Large-Scale Digestion & Storage: The facility features high-capacity Anaerobic Digester tanks and secondary Digestate Storage tanks, designed to provide sufficient hydraulic retention time to optimise biogas yield and support consistent output.
• Renewable Energy Output: The facility is expected to produce up to 150 TJ of biogas per year, which will be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the gas network.

The project comes at a critical time in the Australian energy transition, as governments and industry seek scalable alternatives to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors and new infrastructure to support renewable gas production. Strategically located near existing gas infrastructure, the Forbes Bioenergy Facility will provide critical renewable gas infrastructure that will support Australia’s energy transition, improve domestic energy security, and convert food organics into a pipeline-ready renewable fuel.

The Integrated Resource Recovery Hub will produce fully certified, traceable renewable gas under the Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin (RGGO) framework, the Future Made in Australia (Guarantee of Origin) Act and the NSW Renewable Certificate Scheme (RFC) commencing in 2028. This will enable the supply of verified renewable gas to domestic and international markets, supporting government renewable gas targets and allowing industrial gas users to meet decarbonisation commitments using existing gas infrastructure.

“Moving into detailed engineering marks a major milestone for this project,” says Dan Nicholson, CEO of Topsoil Organics. “By combining our established logistics, organics processing expertise with advanced AD technology and proximity to gas infrastructure, we are developing a facility that will convert organic material at scale into a certified, pipeline-ready traceable renewable energy commodity that meets the needs of both voluntary corporate buyers and mandatory compliance markets”.

Max Bergomi, CEO of OREZ, added: ” The Forbes Bioenergy Facility represents exactly the kind of project the Australian renewable gas sector needs: large scale, technically rigorous, utilising Thoni’s proven higher-solids anaerobic digestion technology, and underpinned by long-term feedstock security. The detailed engineering now underway positions this facility to deliver reliable biogas production from day one, and to scale into one of the most significant renewable gas producers in regional NSW. We are proud to lead the engineering and delivery of a project that sets a new benchmark for renewable gas infrastructure in Australia.”.”

Detailed engineering is scheduled for completion in late 2026, with the construction expected to commence by the end of the year-.  A Final Investment Decision is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026, following completion of detailed engineering, with applications for state and federal renewable energy funding currently underway. The project is targeting first gas and fertiliser production by late 2027, aligning with the rollout of state and federal renewable gas initiatives.

About Topsoil Organics

Topsoil Organics, a family-owned Australian Company, provides organic resource recovery services in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Producing high quality composts and soil amendment products and services Topsoil Organics is now expanding into bioenergy and renewable gas production. With a strong focus on sustainability and organics resource diversion, Topsoil Organics helps businesses and councils manage their organic waste streams in an environmentally responsible and commercially viable way.

About OREZ

OREZ specialises in the design, construction, and operations support of organic waste processing facilities, delivering anaerobic digestion, composting, and bioenergy solutions across Australia. With expertise in engineering, procurement, construction and construction management, OREZ is committed to driving innovation in sustainable waste processing and circular economy projects.

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For further information, please contact:
Ollie Brunt
Sales & Partnerships Manager
+61 474 904 492
o.brunt@orez.com.au

OREZ x Topsoil Media Release