Six new bio projects collectively valued at more than $22 million will soon be delivered in Queensland, with the first grants announced from the Palaszczuk Government's $5 million Queensland Waste to Biofutures Fund (W2B Fund).
Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said $1.9 million has been awarded to six businesses and universities innovating in the waste-to-bioproducts space, with around 85 jobs to be created during construction and operation of the projects.
"Queensland is leading the way when it comes to turning waste streams into high-value bioproducts with environmental benefits," Mr Dick said.
"These six projects will create biogas, syngas and fertiliser replacements, and energy to run industrial plants and charge electric vehicles, but most importantly they'll create more jobs for Queenslanders.
"When Deb Frecklington and the LNP were last in power, they cut the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund, an initiative introduced by Labor to help develop emissions-reducing technology locally.
"In contrast, the Palaszczuk Government is committed to creating a $1 billion sustainable and export-oriented industrial biotechnology and bioproducts sector here in Queensland that promotes investment and supports jobs."
Minister for Environment and Minister for Science Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government was leading the way towards a sustainable future.
"These projects demonstrate our strong leadership and support for initiatives that help create the industries and jobs of the future and improve economic and environmental sustainability," Ms Enoch said.
"It is important we take these steps now in moving towards a more sustainable future so we can support our future generations."
W2B Fund recipients and their projects:
- BE Power Solutions ($500,000): Biogas-solar power plant at AJ Bush rendering facility Bromelton, Scenic Rim, providing power for the facility and the grid
- Wildfire Energy ($500,000): Waste-to-energy demonstration project in Redbank Plains, Ipswich, which will convert feedstocks into syngas, enabling the production of renewable electricity, hydrogen and chemicals
- Energy360 ($363,500): Bioenergy plant and electric vehicle (EV) charging station with future potential to power Bundaberg Regional Council waste-recovery trucks
- Nilwaste Energy ($250,000): Demonstration plant at QUT's industrial testing facility in Banyo to convert waste into bioenergy
- Pearl Global ($250,000): Project at Staplyton on the Gold Coast producing bioenergy from waste gas
- University of Southern Queensland ($50,000): Toowoomba project to create granulated organomineral fertilisers from biosolids
Bioenergy Australia CEO Shahana McKenzie said the W2B Fund is helping Queensland companies advance some truly exciting projects.
"These projects have enormous potential to attract investment in the bioenergy sector and create jobs," Ms McKenzie said.
"Bioenergy is attracting considerable interest worldwide due to its enormous potential to reduce carbon emissions and drive a more sustainable energy future."
The Queensland Waste to Biofutures Fund is aligned with the Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.
The fund is in addition to the Palaszczuk Government's $100 million Resource Recovery Industry Development Program, which targets projects using proven technologies that divert waste from landfill or stockpiling.
Queensland is currently hosting its first Bio Innovation Week 11-15 November, with the focus on new opportunities for economic growth and the creation of high-value, knowledge-intensive regional jobs.
