A much-lauded seaweed-collecting machine has been shipped to Queensland for repairs and modifications.
The state government and Hobsons Bay Council jointly funded the $87,000 ‘Trommel’. Laverton North company Cassa Bio-Tec suggested the machine to collect seaweed to be turned into liquid fertiliser.
The council expects the Trommel will cut its seaweed disposal bill by more than $80,000 a year. While the Trommel is being repaired, the council has hired a company to recycle the seaweed.
In the meantime, Environment Minister Ryan Smith has refused a request for Altona beach renourishment, stating in a letter to Altona MP Jill Hennessy: ‘‘The area west of Romawi Street … is within a kite-board zone which, if swimmers were encouraged to use this area, could create conflicting uses’’.
