AORA October 2026 Newsletter
From the National Executive Officer
Our 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Annual Members Forum were held in Sydney on Thursday 15 October.
The AGM delivered on our statutory reporting requirements although our audited financial statements for 2025/26 are still a work-in-progress. There have been more audit reporting requirements this year than previously, but there are no issues to report and we hope delivery of these is imminent from our auditors. The Annual Report is now available on the AORA website.
It is unfortunate and disappointing that we reported a deficit last financial year but there are reasons for this. As I have previously noted, the Association’s financial position always requires careful consideration, especially as our income is very closely linked to membership, levy (from processing members), sponsorship and the annual conference. A dip in any one of these income streams will detrimentally impact our financial position, as we witnessed in 2025/26.
The Annual Members Forum was very well attended and we had a very strong suite of speakers. Thank you to everyone who attended; we hope that you left the event with fresh insights and information.
The new Board came into effect following the 2026 AGM including one new appointment: Ms Jacquelle Gorski from SPM (Victoria) and the departure of Mr Ashley Johnston from Repurpose It.
I will conclude my AORA role on 17 November 2026. I have consulted closely with our Chair, Kali Martin on this and will have a few days for a handover and transition to the new CEO. Please welcome the new CEO and assist her wherever you can to understand the industry and the key issues.
The future success of AORA and the industry relies on everyone working together in the spirit of collaboration; something I know this industry does well and should be proud of. The challenges faced by the Australian organics recycling industry are not diminishing so working together will always be the most effective way to meet them.
John McKew
National Executive Officer
Welcoming our new Chief Executive Officer
Kylie Lethbridge
“I’m delighted to be joining AORA as CEO at such an important time for the organics recycling and resource recovery sector.
Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about bringing people together, building strong industry partnerships and working with government and stakeholders to create the conditions for industries to grow and thrive.
I see enormous opportunity in AORA’s work to advance a more sustainable, circular economy for Australia, and I’m excited to work alongside the Board and its members to strengthen the sector’s voice, showcase its contribution and help realise its potential.”
Kylie is a senior executive, strategist and advocate with more than 25 years experience leading membership organisations, influencing public policy and driving organisational transformation across government, industry and the not-for-profit sector.
She has built a career helping organisations strengthen their impact through strategic leadership, effective governance, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based advocacy. Her expertise spans membership growth and engagement, government relations, policy development, economic development, destination management, international trade and investment, organisational sustainability and strategy.
Beginning her career in ministerial and government roles, Kylie held senior positions across local, state and federal government before transitioning into executive leadership within the membership sector. She has successfully led national industry organisations through periods of significant change, strengthening governance, improving financial sustainability, increasing membership value and positioning organisations as trusted voices with government and industry.
Known for her collaborative leadership style, Kylie brings together diverse stakeholders to solve complex challenges and create shared outcomes. She has earned a reputation as a pragmatic and influential leader who combines strategic thinking with a strong focus on delivery, building trusted relationships that translate into meaningful results.
Passionate about purpose-driven leadership, Kylie is motivated by opportunities to help organisations grow, influence positive change and deliver lasting economic, environmental and social impact.
Kylie will start with AORA on November 13, with a short handover period with outgoing NEO, John McKew.
FOGO Position Paper consultation closes 30 October
This year AORA have been working to update the AORA FOGO position paper. This position paper is intended to be a widely used and referenced industry position and source of information on issues and opportunities currently facing FOGO services and processing.
The paper highlights six key challenges;
1. Clarifying the purpose of a FOGO service
2. Bin collection frequency and contamination
3. Caddy liner use, confusion and behaviour change
4. Hazardous contaminants (batteries, vapes, glass, needles)
5. Emerging chemicals of concern (e.g. PFAS)
6. Processor investment in decontamination infrastructure.
We encourage you to provide feedback by October 30.
The FOGO position paper is also on the agenda for the Annual Forum and we will be gathering your input on the day as well.
Capacity of the Australian Organics Recyling Industry Report and Webinars
Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions was commissioned by AORA to determine the existing and potential capacity and capability of the Australian Organics Recycling Industry (AORI) to meet recycling benchmarks that could be driven by improved policy settings.
The 25-26 report has now been finalised and will be released next week.
A series of webinars will take place in early December, national and individual states, to present the report findings.
Please note, these webinars and access to the report is exclusive to current AORA members, you will be required to register and provide your organisation details in order to access.
SA: 1 Dec 2026 at 10.30am (SA time)
WA: 1 Dec 2026 at 12.30pm (WA time)
NSW: 2 Dec 2026 at 10am (NSW time)
QLD: 2 Dec 2026 at 11am (QLD time)
VIC: 3 Dec 2026 at 11.30am (VIC time)
National: 3 Dec 2026 at 1.30pm (NSW time)
Vic Forum and Facility Tour
Tuesday November 10 | 10.00am – 3pm
Goonawarra Golf Club, Sunbury, followed by site tour at Veolia Bulla
How do you get households to separate their food waste, and what happens to it next?
Join AORA to hear results from a 500-household FOGO trial that lifted food waste diversion from 19% to 48%, new research on how councils, processors and residents manage FOGO, and a site tour of the Veolia Bulla composting facility to see organics recycling first hand.
Save the Date – NSW end of year event
Tuesday 24 November | 5.30pm | Atura Blacktown
Tickets available from Friday
AORA Conference Submissions close October 30
We are seeking submissions that are practical, evidence-based and solution-focused. In addition to individual presentations, the Committee welcomes proposals for panel discussions and expressions of interest from those willing to participate as a panellist.
Submissions should address the sector’s current challenges and emerging opportunities across the following themes:
- Contamination & Quality: PFAS, plastics and microplastics; compostable packaging; contamination reduction; feedstock quality; testing and standards.
- Markets & End Users: Agriculture and soil health; landscaping, turf and civil markets; procurement; commercialisation; market development.
- Technology & Operations: Practical processing technologies and operational outcomes; composting and AD systems; biochar and emerging technologies; automation and monitoring; safety innovation; odour and emissions management.
- Policy & Advocacy: Regulation and harmonisation; industry reform; council and regulator collaboration; procurement policy; compliance and risk management.
- Processor Perspectives: Facility case studies; operational insights; workforce and leadership; contamination management; contracting and supply chain challenges.
- Innovation & Future Systems: AI and digital technologies; carbon markets; circular economy integration; data and analytics; emerging technologies and future opportunities.
Other topics aligned with the conference theme may also be considered at the discretion of the Conference Committee.
State Members Meetings Minutes
Members meetings were held during October in NSW, VIC and QLD. The minutes for all of these can be found in the member portal.
AS 4736-2026 open for public comment
Feedback on AS4736-2026 (Biodegradable products suitable for composting and other microbial treatment) is open to until December 15 – we encourage you to provide your feedback.
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