Budget: Daintree reacts to $19.3M government package to power rainforest

The dawn of high-speed internet and an end to “ridiculous” diesel generators has been met with applause in the Daintree following a $19.3m budget commitment for a “world-first” microgrid. HAVE YOUR SAY

THE dawn of high speed internet and an end to “ridiculous” diesel generators has been met with applause in the Daintree following a $19.3m budget commitment for a “world first” microgrid.

Businesses and homes north of the Daintree River will soon have solar energy converted into hydrogen following the Federal Government’s landmark backing of the project, which has been 25 years in the making.

Private investment for the global leading microgrid is now being sought with several Australian and overseas companies interested, according to Daintree Renewable Energy director Russell O’Doherty.

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Construction of a power plant and laying of cables are expected to commence by the end of the year with the first stage starting at the Daintree Discovery Centre, on Alexander Range, and running through to Cape Tribulation.

Brian Arnold, general manager of the Aborginal Development Benefit Trust which owns the centre, said the business was “over the moon”.

“It’s going to make a massive difference not just for the discovery centre but for a lot of other businesses as well,” he said.

“Running businesses off diesel generators doesn’t do anything for the environment and the Daintree should be a world leader in this area.

“This is a great step forward.”

Manager of the Daintree Discovery Centre Abi Ralph.

Mr O’Doherty, a Daintree resident since 1999 who has been campaigning for renewable energy for more than two decades, said the news was watershed moment.

“We knocked the top off a bottle of bubbles last night,” he said.

“This is something very special not only for the Daintree but the entire Douglas Shire.

“This will be the first in the world to use this mixture of technology, so it’s extremely exciting.”

Cabling for the microgrid will be done underground by cable plough or directional boring.

Stage two will be carried out from Alexandra Range to Cape Kimberley and through to Forest Creek, establishing power and fibre optic internet for locals.

Russell O'Doherty has been championing for an end to diesel generators for more than 20 years.

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“We’re very confident it will start before the end of the year,” Mr O’Doherty said.

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said it was an exciting time for the region and for Daintree residents “who have fought many years for this”.

An estimated 400 diesel generators producing about “six million litres of diesel a year” will now be swapped for permanent energy produced from the sun and water.

“It is a game changer for those that have been living in these ridiculous conditions off diesel generators,” Cr Kerr said.

Daintree National Park will get a microgrid after a $19.3m Federal Government package.

“It will also bring high speed internet to the hard working businesses up there.

“It is a step forward for environmental protection of the Daintree and it will be fantastic to be able to call it truly environmentally friendly.”

Originally published as Budget: Daintree reacts to $19.3M government package to power rainforest