FROM SMART STATE TO SUSTAINABLE STATE
Published Tuesday, 30 October, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Premier Anna Bligh called on Queensland innovators to help make the Smart State the sustainable state.
Ms Bligh has encouraged Queensland businesses to apply for funding of up to $200,000 for innovative projects to reduce fossil fuel usage, water consumption and greenhouse emissions.
Ms Bligh made the call after joining Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara to announce the recipients of the round 11 grants of the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund.
Four projects received total funding of more than $686,000.
The winners are:
• Econova Operations for their Domestic Greywater Treatment System, Nambour
• Ritek Building Solutions for their Water Wall Construction System, Cooroy
• Selected Seeds for their Liquid Desiccant Solar Seed Dryer, Pittsworth
• Anova Solutions for their Water Saving Pot and Insert Development, Brisbane
“I like to think of these grants as our ‘green’ Smart State strategy,” Ms Bligh said.
“They are great examples of the visionary companies right here in Queensland that are committed to developing innovative products that reduce consumption of fossil fuels, water, and greenhouse gas emissions.”
Through the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund, amounts of up to $200,000 per project are available to offset the technical risks associated with developing, adapting or proving new technologies or processes.
Since 1999, the Fund has committed almost $8 million to more than 70 innovative energy and water-saving projects in Queensland. The resulting technologies have brought $6.4 million-worth of business to Queensland, through direct sales by companies exporting their technology around the world.
Funded projects have also leveraged approximately $4.7 million in other government funding and attracted $11.3 million of investment.
“This equates to a threefold return on investment,” Ms Bligh said.
Mr McNamara announced Round 12 of QSEIF funding open for applications.
“Funding is available to assist Queensland innovators to develop new projects that address major energy, greenhouse and water resource challenges facing Queensland, helping ensure a future that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable,” Mr McNamara said.
“Technologies to be supported include those that are more energy efficient, use renewable energy sources, substitute biomass or waste for conventional fuels, co-generate electricity and process heat, or reduce water use”, he said.
Draft applications must be received by the closing date of 7 December 2007. shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a final application by 15 February 2008. Projects selected for funding would be expected to commence mid 2008.
“A wide range of technologies have already been developed as a result of QSEIF funding from industries including: water supply and waste treatment, bio-fuels, lighting, refrigeration, food drying, solar and wave power, remote area power supply, water heating and road transport,” Mr McNamara said.
“The QSEIF grants help businesses develop their innovative products to production stage and are helping place Queensland at the forefront of sustainable energy and water innovation which will ultimately help reduce greenhouse emissions and mitigate global warming.”
Technological development may be undertaken by the applicant or contracted to another company, research institution, university or consulting group. Applicants are expected to manage the project and make significant cash contribution.
Guidelines and further information is available from www.epa.qld.gov.au/qseif, or contact Dr Martin Gellender or Glenn Tipman on (07) 3225 1999.
Date: October 30, 2007
Media contact:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister’s Office - 3336 8004
Ms Bligh has encouraged Queensland businesses to apply for funding of up to $200,000 for innovative projects to reduce fossil fuel usage, water consumption and greenhouse emissions.
Ms Bligh made the call after joining Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Minister Andrew McNamara to announce the recipients of the round 11 grants of the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund.
Four projects received total funding of more than $686,000.
The winners are:
• Econova Operations for their Domestic Greywater Treatment System, Nambour
• Ritek Building Solutions for their Water Wall Construction System, Cooroy
• Selected Seeds for their Liquid Desiccant Solar Seed Dryer, Pittsworth
• Anova Solutions for their Water Saving Pot and Insert Development, Brisbane
“I like to think of these grants as our ‘green’ Smart State strategy,” Ms Bligh said.
“They are great examples of the visionary companies right here in Queensland that are committed to developing innovative products that reduce consumption of fossil fuels, water, and greenhouse gas emissions.”
Through the Queensland Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund, amounts of up to $200,000 per project are available to offset the technical risks associated with developing, adapting or proving new technologies or processes.
Since 1999, the Fund has committed almost $8 million to more than 70 innovative energy and water-saving projects in Queensland. The resulting technologies have brought $6.4 million-worth of business to Queensland, through direct sales by companies exporting their technology around the world.
Funded projects have also leveraged approximately $4.7 million in other government funding and attracted $11.3 million of investment.
“This equates to a threefold return on investment,” Ms Bligh said.
Mr McNamara announced Round 12 of QSEIF funding open for applications.
“Funding is available to assist Queensland innovators to develop new projects that address major energy, greenhouse and water resource challenges facing Queensland, helping ensure a future that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable,” Mr McNamara said.
“Technologies to be supported include those that are more energy efficient, use renewable energy sources, substitute biomass or waste for conventional fuels, co-generate electricity and process heat, or reduce water use”, he said.
Draft applications must be received by the closing date of 7 December 2007. shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a final application by 15 February 2008. Projects selected for funding would be expected to commence mid 2008.
“A wide range of technologies have already been developed as a result of QSEIF funding from industries including: water supply and waste treatment, bio-fuels, lighting, refrigeration, food drying, solar and wave power, remote area power supply, water heating and road transport,” Mr McNamara said.
“The QSEIF grants help businesses develop their innovative products to production stage and are helping place Queensland at the forefront of sustainable energy and water innovation which will ultimately help reduce greenhouse emissions and mitigate global warming.”
Technological development may be undertaken by the applicant or contracted to another company, research institution, university or consulting group. Applicants are expected to manage the project and make significant cash contribution.
Guidelines and further information is available from www.epa.qld.gov.au/qseif, or contact Dr Martin Gellender or Glenn Tipman on (07) 3225 1999.
Date: October 30, 2007
Media contact:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister’s Office - 3336 8004