Townsville City Council calls for hydrogen facility tender at Mount St John

Townsville could soon have another project to add to its hydrogen arsenal and bolster the city’s footing in the industry.

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TOWNSVILLE could soon have another project to add to its hydrogen arsenal and bolster the city’s footing in the industry.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Townsville City Council has called for tenders for a new hydrogen facility at the Mount St John Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The council is looking for someone who could lease the land for the establishment of a mobile hydrogen production facility integrated with the Mount St John plant.

Council documents call for a preferred tenderer that will fund, own, deliver and operate the hydrogen production facility.

Mayor Jenny Hill said this was a key move for the council because it needed to position the city as a prime location for new hydrogen projects.

“We’ve got a lot of interest in producing green hydrogen in North Queensland,” Cr Hill said.

“Obviously, if the cost of production can be brought down to a reasonable amount, I think you could see this becoming one of Queensland’s biggest industries.”

Earlier this month Origin Energy announced it would export hydrogen out of the Port of Townsville to Japan.

The state government also promised a hydrogen training facility attached to the Bohle TAFE trade training centre as part of an election promise to help bolster the industry in the region.

Cr Hill said training and developing people’s skills within the industry would be key to ensuring Townsville could support the sector.

The Mayor added this investment would create jobs in the industry and in exports.

Cr Hill said it was important to be on the front foot when it came to developing industries.

“Sometimes, they don’t just happen on their own,” she said.

Cr Hill said this tender process does not commit the council to anything, but would allow it to explore what was possible.

“It could wind up being a good outcome for council and a proponent,” she said.

State government hydrogen champion and Mundingburra MP Les Walker said hydrogen presented an exciting opportunity for Townsville.

“I welcome the news from Townsville City Council today about a potential hydrogen production facility at Mount St John Wastewater Treatment Plan,” Mr Walker said.

“As a hydrogen champion, I know the Townsville region has the skills, renewable energy potential and the industrial know-how to support hydrogen production for both domestic and international markets.”

The council has also called for tenders to upgrade the existing guardrails and install new ones on Mount Stuart Road.

Originally published as Townsville City Council calls for hydrogen facility tender at Mount St John