Ms Moriarty, who is also Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW, toured the facility on Tuesday learning more about the business and projects being developed by Charles Sturt University and the Department of Primary Industries to reduce the devastating impact carp have on the environment.
The visit followed her keynote address at a Business NSW lunch at Deniliquin Town Hall, entitled ‘powering regional development’.
Charlie Carp, which was established 26 years ago, uses an invasive pest to produce a zero-waste garden fertiliser.
At the same time, it creates jobs and investment in regional NSW.
Ms Moriarty learned how the business has helped re-establish native fish species in Australian waterways by processing up to 400 tonne of European Carp each year to produce a garden fertiliser sold by major retailers across Australia.
"Locally sourced and manufactured, Charlie Carp demonstrates how an invasive species can be harnessed and re-purposed to create a fertiliser product that promotes sustainable gardening and agricultural practices, while preserving and supporting biodiversity in our precious local river systems,“ Ms Moriarty said.
“Charlie Carp showcases how local businesses in regional New South Wales can go from strength to strength, employing innovative practices which benefits both the environment and the local economy here in Deniliquin."
The tour of the facility also included a briefing on a carp trap program being researched, developed and trialled in NSW.
Charlie Carp executive director Harold Clapham said the company is perfectly poised to assist the government and its department is addressing the over-population of carp.
"We thank the Minister for her interest and support of Charlie Carp,“ he said.
“Any solution to the current carp problem must take into consideration the sheer biomass of European carp.
“On that basis, carp must be removed from the waterways.
“The relationship between the New South Wales Government and Charlie Carp exemplifies how collaborative efforts can achieve the outcomes the minister has appropriately espoused."
Joining Ms Moriarty on the tour of Charlie Carp was Business NSW executive director David Harding, who was equally impressed with the aims and outcomes of the business.
"It's wonderful to see how, yet again, regional New South Wales smarts and innovation is creating real opportunity from adversity,“ Mr Harding said.
“The damaging nature of invasive species is a blight on our waterways, but Charlie Carp are figuratively turning lemons into lemonade, with plague levels of European Carp ending up as a valuable fertiliser for our land.
"Business New South Wales is proud to support small business growth across regional New South Wales and we applaud the ongoing progress of this first-class ecological industry.
"I also thank Minister Moriarty for being in Deniliquin to support our members and speak to stronger regional development.“
