Labor to give Licella grant for bio-fuels manufacturing
The Burdekin could become the home of a commercial biofuels refinery capable of making military aviation fuel, if Labor wins government.
Townsville
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IT COULD take up to two years for the new bio-fuels refinery to be up and running, if Labor forms government.
Labor has promised $5m to Licella to help develop of biofuels plant in the Burdekin, which will turn sugarcane waste into high-grade, military-spec aviation fuel.
Every year, about $1.65m tonnes of sugarcane tops and trash is produced in the Burdekin, with much of it being burned at the end of the season.
Licella project manager Stewart Peters said the company had been converting waste products into things like biomass for about a decade.
The funding will go towards helping Licella’s product get through the certification process.
Mr Peters said there may be more roles for government to play in the future to get the project over the line.
“For example, we do need hydrogen to produce those higher-spec fuels,” he said.
Mr Peters said they would continue to speak with government, whoever was elected, and continue the conversation on biofuels.
Burdekin Renewable Fuels director Richard Wall said the decision to go ahead with this project was a “no-brainer”.
“There is 35m tonnes grown in Queensland, and 10m tonnes grown in the Burdekin, year on year,” Mr Wall said.
“We replace it every year, and it is true renewables, we can grow it every 12 months, unlike some of the other bio renewable fuels on the market.
“We think it is a no-brainer, we think it needs to be done.”
Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the Morrison government had made significant commitments to advance the country’s biofuel sector.
“The Morrison Government has announced $33.5 million to the further development of advanced biofuels for the aviation and maritime sectors as part of backing ARENA’s Bioenergy Roadmap” Mr Taylor said.
“This funding will be administered through ARENA, who make independent investment decisions and support projects that have been through ARENA’s own rigorous assessment process.”
Labor commit $5m for new biofuels initiative
THE Burdekin could become the home of a commercial biofuels refinery capable of making military aviation fuel, if Labor wins government.
A Labor government will provide a $5m grant to Australian biotech firm Licella, which will convert sugarcane waste into Australian-made renewable fuel.
Licella, which is based in Sydney, will spend the cash to get prepared to open the bio-refinery in the Burdekin.
The funding will help the company prove that it can produce sustainable aviation fuels and go through the certification process.
Licella has the ability to transform the waste from the sugarcane industry into a renewable oil, which is called biocrude.
From that, sustainable fuels and chemicals can be made.
Opposition Defence spokesman Brendan O’Connor will be in Townsville on Tuesday to make the announcement.
“Labor will task Defence to work with biofuel manufacturers on military-spec fuels, including through the Defence Fuel Transformation Program,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Labor will also make a high-level commitment to partner with the US and UK through mechanisms such as AUKUS on sustainable Australian-made liquid fuel, including for military purposes, as recommended on a bipartisan basis by the Joint Standing Committee on Defence Sub-Committee.”
Mr O’Connor said Defence consumed about 1 per cent of Australia’s total liquid fuels.
“Under Scott Morrison Defence has been left vulnerable to international supply chain disruption and increasing fuel prices,” he said.
“In an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific, it is more important than ever to develop sovereign capacity in liquid fuel manufacturing, including biofuels, particularly for our Australian Defence Force.
“Defence’s advice to parliament is that up to 50 per cent of current fuels could ultimately be replaced with renewable fuels, but they require a commercialised industry.”
Mr O’Connor said this would strengthen fuel security and supply chains and provide revenue for sugarcane farms, create new jobs in manufacturing and reduce emissions.
$1.29m for at-risk youth education, skills development
HERBERT MP Phillip Thompson is tapping into North Queensland voter’s desire to stamp out youth crime with the LNP hopeful promising another $1.29m for an organisation to help 12-17 year old build life and vocational skills.
This is the MP’s third crime-related election promise since the campaign started.
The latest funding announcement, which is for an early intervention program at In-Step Industry, will help fund the Brighter Days program, with participants learning skills for life and giving them an opportunity to have a meaningful and productive future.
Mr Thompson said he believed every level of government had a responsibility to address the high crime rate in Townsville.
“What we do is put funding into early-intervention programs,” he said.
“We can’t change the state legislation or state law.”
When pushed about other avenues the federal government could take to make change, Mr Thompson said the government had also put funding into the Salvation Army Drug Rehabilitation Centre, and provided funding for the experts to help address systemic issues.
Mr Thompson said projects like Brighter Days were not a reward for bad behaviour, but a chance for at-risk youth to set goals and achieve them.
In-Step Industry general manager Dean Wilson said the program would give kids options.
“What we’ve seen for a long time now is that young people who don’t engage in school or have issues at school, don’t have other options. The options they do have are very specific options,” Mr Wilson said.
“What we’re trying to offer is an opportunity for young people to explore their own future, and to have a look at what they can possibly achieve.
“Hopefully by giving them that motivation and that goal in their life, it keeps them away from crime.”
Mr Wilson said each young person has individualised barriers that are stopping them from becoming involved in the things they want to be involved in.
“We look and try to find out what those barriers are and then address them directly,” he said.
Mr Wilson said there were a lot of programs like this in the past, but government funding had been reduced over time.
As a result, the sector had lost a lot of staff, and young people had lost the ability to go somewhere and get the help they needed.
“Those things are being rebuilt now and starting to come back into place,” Mr Wilson said.
Political Scientist Maxine Newlands said Mr Thompson’s push on the crime front could be bordering on tapping into “fear politics”.
“Crime is definitely an issue in Townsville and the region, and the root cause of that crime is all kinds of things, including low wages, and lack of infrastructure and support systems for certain demographics,” Dr Newlands said.
“Not to dismiss crime in anyway – most people are impacted in one way or another, if they’ve not had a direct impact, they know someone who has.
“But at the same time, crime always comes up in election, it’s quite low hanging fruit to a certain extent and it’s in danger of tapping into that fear politics, of generating fear to generate votes.
“It is something that always comes up, but that is not to dismiss it.”
Dr Newlands said voters who see politicians and candidates offering solutions as opposed to highlighting the issue, would secure votes for people concerned about that issue.
She added that in the later stages of the campaign, crime was not as prominent as it had been, so she was unsure it would still be on people’s radar came to voting.
Labor candidate John Ring said if he was elected, he would work closely with the community to identify critical local projects.
“I will also work closely with the State Government on their existing crime prevention initiatives,” he said.
More cash for at-risk youth
MORE than $900,000 will go towards an intervention program for at-risk youth in the North if the Coalition is re-elected.
Herbert MP Phillip Thompson has promised to fund Queensland Youth Connections’ Get Connected program if the party wins government.
The $904,000 commitment will help establish a community hub, targeting 108 youth between 12-24, provide weekly mentoring, a positive social environment, and training to write resumes and gain employment
“If we can connect with at-risk youth at an early stage and give them a positive influence and education, we’ll have a better chance of them getting jobs and contributing to the community,” Mr Thompson said.
“This project will certainly do that, giving them real-life skills to build a successful future for themselves.”
Queensland Youth Connections managing director Natasha Lane said the organisation operated under the mindset that every young person deserved to have someone believe in them.
“The Get Connected Program is an innovative project that provides a holistic support approach to individuals, families and community,” Ms Lane said
“This will greatly benefit the wider community through providing connections and collaborations with young people and the local business community.
“Queensland Youth Connections is changing the narrative for young people.”
Before the election was called, the federal government provided a $1.4m grant to Queensland Youth Services for Project Overhaul to help prevent recidivist behaviour by engaging youth in hands-on skills development and pathways into the workforce. It also provided $1.4m for a new drop-in centre for at-risk youth, and $778,500 for YWAM to help build a multipurpose youth precinct.
The funding for Queensland Youth Connections is expected to build on these commitments.
“We’re already delivering a mechanics, carpentry and on-country program, as well as a youth hub to get young people off the streets,” Mr Thompson said.
Thompson’s election home run
IF you build it, they will come.
That’s what Herbert MP Phillip Thompson is banking on, as he promises $700,000 for upgrades to Jabiru Park, so locals can play baseball under lights.
The election promises comes after Mr Thompson put pressure on his party to cough up the cash for the Baseball Association Townsville home and for the Northern Beaches Suns grounds.
Now, both sporting clubs will be able to play after dark – if the LNP wins government.
Mr Thompson said the project would mean Baseball Association Townsville could have after-dark fixtures, to keep young players out of the hot North Queensland sun, and to host training sessions after the sun goes down.
He said the association has 10 senior teams, including two women’s teams, and plenty of junior players.
“Baseball Association Townsville have told me how they’ve grown so much they didn’t have enough hours in the day to play and train at the facility in Townsville,” Mr Thompson said.
“Working together with the association we’ve now been able to secure a commitment to provide funding for the project if the Coalition is re-elected, which is a fantastic outcome not just for the players, but the local community too.
“Unfortunately the fields and clubhouse have become a hotspot for crime and vandalism, so having more activity at Jabiru Park more often will help curb some of that as well.”
The commitment for cash comes as one of Baseball Townsville’s homegrown talents Shiori Hoshino is selected to play in the Australian Women’s Baseball Showcase in Geelong for the Brisbane Bandits.
The games will be broadcast on Kayo over the weekend.
Association president Daniel White said the lighting project would allow the organisation to nurture more local talent and grow the game.
“Lighting at Jabiru Park is something we’ve needed for a very long time because due to the growth of senior teams who can only train outside of normal work hours, we haven’t been able to find somewhere else that can safely hold baseball practices, or allow our players to develop properly,” Mr White said.
“Because of the heat and humidity, we only play in the cooler months, but lighting would enable year-round use.
“We also want to be able to use Jabiru Park for more than just baseball, and the opportunities for things like food truck nights and other social activities are endless.”
It is also hoped that the project will unlock future opportunities, including hosting major state tiles and regional events.
Club ground to be lit up after $700,000 grant
HERBERT MP Phillip Thompson has secured $700,000 for the Northern Beaches Suns AFL club.
The election commitment will cover the cost of permanent light towers at the ground, named The Green, easing the squeeze on local facilities and making it easier for the club to train and play more games.
Mr Thompson said the project was a key priority for the club.
Last week, the MP made public his wishes for the government to fund the lights at this sporting club and Jabiru Park for Baseball Townsville.
So far, only the funding for the Suns has been secured.
“There just aren’t enough hours in the day to fit in training and matches around people’s work and school commitments, before the sun goes down, so this would really open up a whole new opportunity for a great local club,” Mr Thompson said.
Northern Beaches Suns president Mark Boardman said the project would not just benefit the Suns but other teams in the competition that would be able to play away games at The Green.
“Lighting at our home ground is something that we’ve wanted and needed for many years and unfortunately we just haven’t been able to get the government support that we’ve needed to get the project over the line,” Mr Boardman said.
“We’re the only senior AFL club in the Townsville region without lighting, and we’ve had to spend $12,500 a year on hiring portable light towers just to be able to get our training sessions in. It’s really impacted our ability to provide a family-friendly, supportive environment for everyone.”
Originally published as Labor to give Licella grant for bio-fuels manufacturing
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