Australian Paper plan to turn waste into power

A PLAN to turn hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste into power could be operational within four years, creating hundreds of jobs in the struggling Latrobe Valley.

The state and federal governments have given $5 million to Australian Paper for a feasibility study into the proposed $600 million energy project at its Maryvale mill.

A RADICAL plan to turn hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste into power could be operational within four years, creating hundreds of jobs in the struggling Latrobe Valley.

The state and federal governments have given $5 million to Australian Paper for a feasibility study into the proposed $600 million energy project at its Maryvale mill.

If it stacks up, the project would take about 650,000 tonnes of waste from landfill in Gippsland and southeastern Melbourne and turn it into base load power to run the mill.

Australian Paper expects that about 800 people would be employed to build the facility, which would provide 46 full-time jobs in a region hit hard by the closure of the Hazelwood power station.

“Generating energy from municipal waste at Maryvale would help address southeast Melbourne’s long-term landfill issues, and also create valuable new construction and manufacturing jobs in the Latrobe Valley,” Australian Paper chief operating officer Peter Williams said.

“This project would be a major boost for regional paper manufacturing and we are excited to be investigating this important opportunity.”

Australian Paper expects that about 800 people will be employed to build the energy facility.

Federal Gippsland MP Darren Chester said the company faced challenges with the high price of gas, so the waste-to-energy plant could “significantly reduce the com­pany’s energy bills” while securing jobs in the Latrobe Valley.

State Employment Minister Wade Noonan said it could be a big boost to the company, which already employs 1000 people across Victoria.

“We are supporting proud manufacturers like Australian Paper to diversify its operations and create new jobs and industries for the local region,” Mr Noonan said.

“This funding will be critical to assessing the project at the pre-construction phase.”

State Employment Minister Wade Noonan says the plan may be a big boost to Australian Paper. Picture: Jason Edwards

Federal Gippsland MP Darren Chester says the waste-to-energy plant could “significantly reduce the com­pany’s energy bills”. Picture: AAP/Julian Smith

The project would also save about 500,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually at the Maryvale paper mill.

Mr Williams said Australian Paper was committed to “sustainable growth”.

“Building on our significant renewable energy platform would be a natural step for our regional operations, reducing our reliance on imported energy and expanding our existing manufacturing footprint,” he said.

The feasibility study is expected to be completed within a year, giving the company a reliable plan to attract private investment to fund the $600 million project. If successful, it could be operational by 2021.

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