Qld Govt team packs in behind MSF Sugar expansion plans

A team of Government officials is working with MSF Sugar to progress its multi-million expansion plans, particularly its clean, green biofutures focus.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said MSF Sugar’s plans aligned with the Palaszczuk Government’s focus on future-focussed industries like biofutures and renewable energy.

“MSF Sugar’s investment plans include producing bio-chemicals, and, as well as cogenerating clean, green energy back into the grid,” he said.

“This planned extension and diversification will deliver 130 full-time equivalent jobs at the sugar mill.”

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said the project was critical for the Fraser Coast to generate jobs and business opportunities for locals.

“Employment is the big issue for this region, whether you’re a school leaver, or a university graduate or a parent with a family to support,” he said.

“I welcome Dr Lynham’s focus on this issue, and the technical group’s attention, because this expansion is all about current industry jobs for the Fraser Coast, as well as potential high-skill jobs for the future.”

Government officials across several agencies, including Dr Lynham’s Departments of State Development, and Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM), are working to facilitate MSF Sugar’s purchase of unallocated state land locally to increase irrigated sugar cane cultivation.

This would allow MSF Sugar to achieve a 1 million tonnes per year target throughput at the Maryborough mill.

Dr Lynham said that DNRM was working on possible options for land for the project as a priority.  

“This is a large and complex project but the technical group is working closely with MSF,” he said.

“This government is investing heavily in biofutures, with almost $20 million allocated in the State Budget over three years to make things happen in this industry sector.

“The $5 million commercialisation program has already brought major players forward to work with Queensland’s research organisations.

“Our investment will bring solid dividends to agricultural powerhouse regions like the Wide Bay.”

ENDS                           24 August, 2016

Media contact:           Jan Martin 0439 341 314