Environmental Authority granted to Northern Oil Refineries for biofuels project

A Gladstone oil refinery has been given environmental approval for a new plant that will turn waste such as tyre rubber into renewable oil for biofuels.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection granted an Environmental Authority for Northern Oil Refineries at Yarwun, near Gladstone on Monday (15 August).

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said the company, which won the Innovation in Sustainable Technologies Award at the 2015 Premier’s Sustainability Awards, had created a whole new industry for Queensland.

“Queensland is on the cusp of a new, 21st century clean industry for Australia.

“Biofuels promises to be a revolutionary game changer for the environment, for transport fuels, and for regional Queensland economies.

“This is the first facility in Queensland to recycle waste lubricating oil for re-use. In fact, this was a business destined for NSW but the Palaszczuk Government was able to attract the investment, and the jobs it brings, to Queensland. 

“It will create a whole new market for waste, creating ‘green’ fuels while keeping it out of landfill.

“This approval allows Northern Oil to receive and treat a broader range of waste materials and convert them into renewable oil which can then be treated to become suitable for use across a range of sectors,” Dr Miles said.

“The company is now ready to expand its operations to include wastes such as bagasse from sugar cane milling, green waste from regional cities, woody weeds like prickly acacia and tyres from the mining sector, heavy transport and passenger vehicles.

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the plant would create hundreds of jobs for Central Queensland.

“The $16 million biofuels pilot plant is scheduled to open later this year and is the next step towards a $150 million, commercial-scale biofuel plant.

“The renewable oil it produces can be converted into quality fuels that can be marketed across a variety of industries and sectors that are looking to reduce their carbon footprints.

“In 2014-2015 4.76 million tonnes of waste went into landfill. In contrast, Northern Oil Refineries is proving that there are more innovative alternatives which not only reduce waste but can lead to a whole new economic sector,” Mr Butcher said.

“It’s also a clear indication that by working together in partnership industry and Government can achieve better waste management options and better environmental outcomes.”

ENDS

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