Mackay’s sugarcane to create jet fuel in bioindustries push
Sugarcane will be a cornerstone of Queensland’s push towards a renewable future with a sweet bottom line that has the industry “very excited”. READ WHY
Mackay
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North Queensland’s lush sugarcane countryside will be processed into billions of dollars worth of jet fuel under the state government’s renewables push.
Mackay will be ground zero with the Racecourse Mill playing a star role, and 1019ha put aside between sites at Racecourse and Rosella to house the future industrial hub.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said Queensland’s newest State Development Area will focus on biomanufacturing, renewable energy, and green jet fuel, and generate “billions” for the economy.
“Right now, global processors are looking to buy our feedstock and … process it in their own countries,” Mr Miles said at the Racecourse Mill on Wednesday.
“We don’t want to see that happen.
“We want to see that value add, and those jobs created here in Queensland.”
“(Tuesday) I was at a meeting with the Australian government, Virgin, Qantas, Boeing, Airbus and the Brisbane Airport to talk about all of their aspirations to move to those sustainable aviation fuels and there was a real focus in on Mackay where of course we have all of the ingredients.
“We have the feedstock, we have the skilled workforce, and the energy exporting infrastructure, and we will have the SuperGrid connecting in 100 per cent renewable energy.”
And Australian-founded Cauldron recently received a $528,000 boost from the state government to build a Future Foods BioHub that uses sugarcane waste to make foods like milk and egg whites, medicines, and an almost endless array of products in a fermentation industry tipped to be worth $700bn worldwide by 2040.
Mr Miles said the state government had up to a further three businesses hoping to come on board the bioindustries sugartrain, with the SDA declaration helping to accelerate that, but he would not divulge their identities.
Community members have until September 15 to have their say on how to best develop the SDA but there are concerns the region’s mills, which process a third of Australia’s sugar, will be ill-equipped to handle a growing industry as they struggle with equipment breakdowns during typical crushes.
Mackay Sugar CEO Jannik Olejas said the SDA, which aligned with the industry’s new road map, would strengthen the value chain and so funds would continue to be invested into upgrading and transforming mills to become fit-for-purpose.
The Sugar Plus Roadmap describes the sugarcane plant as “the perfect ingredient to fuel the future” across food; energy, both for electricity and fuels; and fabrication, including making products to replace plastics.
Mackay’s industrial sites at Racecourse and Rosella sites are also poised to take advantage of the $350 million Ring Road Stage 2, which once complete will connect major highways to the port.
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the SDA was “an important stake in the ground”.
“This is really stuff that will keep our young people in Mackay, it will keep the future of the sugar industry guaranteed … it’s very, very exciting,” Mr Williamson said.
Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said SDA would also offer farmers a more attractive option to sell their product locally rather than “worry” about global fluctuating sugar prices.
“This is all about a high-value product coming from our sugar,” Mrs Gilbert said.
“Instead of it just turning into sugar crystals and going out to the harbour and getting shipped around the world, this is milling our cane and turning it into other whole-value products.
“It’s a win-win for our millers and also a win-win for our farmers.”
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