Merinda Recyclers Pty Ltd, a division of Quirindi Aboriginal Corporation, is starting to forge ahead at its new facility at the Liverpool Plains Shire Council landfill site in Quirindi.
Quirindi Aboriginal Corporation commenced a recycle pick up service for the town of Quirindi in 1993 and has continued ever since. The business has expanded to provide pickup services to all towns and villages in the Liverpool Plains Shire and even as far as Nundle.
The new plant has been constructed at a cost of over $200,000 with no assistance from Government grants.
Quirindi Aboriginal Corporation had to submit a business plan to obtain a loan from Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), as well as use some of the Corporation’s own money.
The new state of the art plant was designed and built by Britto’s Engineering from Wee Waa, with the assistance of local contractors. Liverpool Plains Shire Council assisted by constructing the concrete bunker to hold the recycle material prior to sorting, as well as some other concreting work.
Quirindi Aboriginal Corporation was pleased to use local companies to assist with the building of the plant.
Chairperson of Merinda Recycler Pty Ltd and Plant Manager, Jim White, said he and the other workers at the plant appreciated the way in which the local community supported them during the tendering process with Liverpool Plains Shire Council, and they also thank the community for the way they have adapted to the new recycling bins.
“Quirindi Aboriginal Corporation receives no government funding and operates in the same way as any private business,” Jim White said. “Quirindi Aboriginal Corporation employs mostly Aboriginal people from the local community, and by employing locals, they spend locally.
“Quirindi Aboriginal Corporation is investigating ways to expand into other aspects of recycling, and with the community’s support, will go from strength to strength.”
