As we approach the end of the 2025/26 financial year, ANZBP would like to sincerely thank all our partners for their continued support, expertise, and engagement.
Your contributions help make ANZBP a trusted and collaborative voice for sustainable biosolids management across Australia and New Zealand. Through your participation in technical discussions, surveys, advocacy activities, industry events, presentations, and committee leadership, ANZBP has continued to deliver valuable outcomes for the sector.
Over the past year, together we have:
Completed the FY24/25 Biosolids Production & End Use Survey
Delivered biosolids-focused workshops and panel discussions at Ozwater'26
Supported regulatory engagement and advocacy activities
Continued ANZBP Lunch & Learn and Coffee & Cake knowledge-sharing sessions
Contributed to the development of the Australian Biochar Standard
Commenced planning for the National Biosolids Conference 2027
Thank you for helping ANZBP advance sustainable biosolids management across Australia and New Zealand.
ANZBP Biosolids Production & End Use Survey 2024/25 Now Available
ANZBP is pleased to announce that the Biosolids Production & End Use Survey 2024/25 has now been published and is available to partners through the ANZBP Member Portal.
Conducted biennially since 2010, the survey remains one of the most comprehensive sources of information on biosolids production, treatment, quality, end use, and industry trends across Australia and New Zealand. The 2024/25 edition provides valuable insights into evolving management practices, emerging risks and opportunities, regulatory influences, and long-term trends shaping the sector.
The survey findings support benchmarking, strategic planning, advocacy, and informed decision-making for utilities, regulators, consultants, researchers, and end users.
The full survey report is available exclusively to ANZBP partners via the Member Portal.
We thank all participating organisations for their contribution to this important industry initiative.
Access the report via the ANZBP website Member Portal.
For non-members: If you would like to access ANZBP survey reports and other partner-exclusive resources, please contact lliu@awa.asn.au for information on becoming an ANZBP partner.
ANZBP Partnership Renewals - FY26/27
ANZBP has begun contacting partners whose memberships are due for renewal for FY26/27.
Renewal information has been circulated to relevant organisations, including partnership benefits, subscription options, and information on ANZBP's planned activities and priorities for the coming year.
Partners may choose between 1-year and 3-year subscription options, with a discounted annual rate available for organisations committing to a 3-year partnership.
If you have any questions regarding your organisation's renewal, please contact Locus Liu at lliu@awa.asn.au.
National Biosolids Conference 2027 - Planning Underway
Following the success of the National Biosolids Conference 2025 in Hobart, planning is now underway for the next National Biosolids Conference, which will be held during the first quarter of 2027.
The National Biosolids Conference is a flagship Australian Water Association (AWA) event delivered in collaboration with ANZBP, bringing together utilities, regulators, consultants, researchers, technology providers, contractors, and end users from across Australia and New Zealand to share knowledge, discuss emerging challenges, and explore opportunities for the future of biosolids management.
AWA will shortly begin establishing the Conference Planning Committee to help guide the development of the technical program and event direction. ANZBP is committed to ensuring the committee reflects a diverse range of perspectives from across the biosolids value chain.
Further updates, including conference dates, venue details, and opportunities to participate in the planning process, will be shared with partners as planning progresses.
ANZBP Coffee & Cake Discussion
ANZBP is planning a member-exclusive Coffee & Cake discussion in July focused on the NSW EPA's proposed Resource Recovery Order and Exemption (RROE) for biosolids and other recent regulatory developments affecting the sector.
The session will provide an opportunity for partners to share perspectives, discuss potential implications for biosolids producers and end users, and hear from industry colleagues on matters of importance to biosolids management across Australia and New Zealand.
As ANZBP continues to engage with partners and regulators on key policy and regulatory issues, this discussion will help identify common challenges, opportunities, and areas for future collaboration.
ANZBP's submission in response to the proposed NSW EPA RROE. A copy of the submission is attached to this newsletter for your reference.
A formal invitation, including the session date, time, agenda and speakers, will be circulated directly to ANZBP partners once details are confirmed.
ANZBP at Ozwater’26
The ANZBP Advisory Committee was pleased to facilitate two biosolids-focused sessions at Ozwater’26, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, regulators, utilities, consultants, and end users to discuss the future of biosolids management.
The first session presented insights from ANZBP’s flagship Biosolids Production & End Use Survey, highlighting 15 years of trends across Australia, including changing end-use pathways, increasing regulatory pressures, emerging risks, and opportunities for resource recovery and circular economy outcomes.
Thank you to Catherine Vero and Hilary Hall CF for presenting the survey findings around what these trends mean for the sector moving forward.
This was followed by the Biosolids Value Chain Panel session, exploring how different stakeholders across the biosolids value chain can work together to maximise environmental, social, and economic value.
Thank you to our panelists:
Darren Schick - End User
Dr Louise Reeves - Science Communicator
Jackie McKeay - Regulator
Dr Sonja Toft - Utility Manager
Dr Glenn Dale - Consultant
Prof Kalpit Shah - Researcher
The discussions with ideas shared and tested is important for our industry as we navigate through this period of change yet with the aim to ensure value is achieved along the Biosolids management chain. Especially after the thought experiment, it is evident that the Biosolids Value Chain is not linear, nor circular but web-like and interconnected.
This article explores the differences between biochar and compost as soil amendments, highlighting how pyrolysis can stabilise carbon for long-term storage while delivering soil health benefits. The discussion provides useful context for organisations exploring carbon sequestration opportunities alongside resource recovery outcomes.
This article from Verterra highlights the critical role end users play in determining the success of biosolids management programs. It reinforces the importance of understanding end-user needs, building trust, and creating value throughout the biosolids value chain to support long-term beneficial reuse outcomes.
As PFAS regulations continue to evolve globally, utilities are increasingly reassessing long-term biosolids management strategies. This article explores how changing regulatory expectations may influence treatment pathways, beneficial reuse programs, technology investment, and risk management approaches.
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment recently published an assessment of sewage sludge use in agriculture, reviewing both benefits and risks associated with land application. The report provides valuable insight into international perspectives on nutrient recycling, soil health, contaminants, and sustainable resource management.
This International Wastewater and Environmental Systems (IWES) resource examines emerging thermal technologies for municipal and wastewater organics management, including opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned from international applications.
Maintaining social licence remains one of the most important challenges and opportunities facing the biosolids sector. This communication toolkit provides practical guidance, messaging frameworks, and engagement resources to support conversations with communities, stakeholders, customers, and decision-makers about the benefits and management of biosolids.
This podcast episode explores how biomethane is transforming organic waste streams into renewable energy opportunities. Featuring industry perspectives on anaerobic digestion, resource recovery, and decarbonisation, the discussion highlights the growing role of wastewater and organics sectors in Australia's energy transition and circular economy.
This International Wastewater and Environmental Systems (IWES) resource examines emerging thermal technologies for municipal and wastewater organics management, including opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned from international applications.
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