The Palaszczuk Government is accelerating plans to make Queensland the capital of a local sustainable aviation fuels industry.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said a roundtable was held on Friday (25 November) bringing together key industry players to launch a pathway for Queensland to capitalise on the global shift to green jet fuels.
“With the world moving into a low emissions future, there has been an explosion in demand for low carbon aviation fuel,” Mr Miles said.
“The world’s airlines have set a target of net zero emissions by 2050 with sustainable aviation fuels needed in large quantities to achieve this.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to tap into this market and become the nation’s leader in a new export industry with huge economic and environmental benefits.
“Queensland is recognised as one of the best locations for a supply chain on home soil due to our rich supply of feedstock such as sugarcane and tallow.
“If we get this right, Queensland could be producing and distributing green fuels for flights across domestic and international markets.
“Now is the time for action, or we risk this investment opportunity going offshore.
“We must work together to get this vision on the runway.
“That is why I convened a roundtable to bring together the entire supply chain at this roundtable – feedstock providers, technology developers, aviation, airports and refiners.”
The roundtable was attended by representatives from across the industry included Boeing, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Ampol, Australian Sugar Milling Council and Bioenergy Australia.
Attendees discussed critical challenges including access to feedstock, distribution and offtake requirements needed to create a sustainable aviation fuels industry.
Mr Miles said Queensland was leading national efforts to develop a biofuels industry.
“Through the Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap we have been leading the way with the first sustainable aviation flights out of Brisbane Airport with Virgin Australia,” Mr Miles said.
“This roundtable also follows the $500 million announcement from Oceania Biofuels in April to build Australia’s first commercial aviation fuel biorefinery in Gladstone.
“We have also supported Mercurius to build its pilot plant in Mackay and Southern Oil with its biofuel pilot plant in Gladstone.
“Our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan includes a renewable energy target of 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035 – and sustainable aviation fuels will help get us there.
“This is another signal to Australia and the world that we are ready for take-off towards Queensland’s future as a clean energy powerhouse.”