The Scenic Rim could be a significant supplier of fuel had the federal government not missed the opportunity.
Former plant manager at AJ Bush and Sons at Bromelton during the 2000s David Kassulke said he applied for a grant to investigate producing biodiesel under a federal government biofuels capital grants program back in 2000.
However, he said the government didn’t award them a grant and instead funded three ethanol projects in Queensland and one biodiesel project in Victoria, which didn’t even have any feed lots.
“It’s ironic at the moment with this fuel crisis,” he said. “We were shovel ready 25 years ago.
“It shocks me that Australia was looking at this and went down the wrong path.”
He said the Bromelton facility could produce about 60 million litres of biofuel a year.
He began extensive research into producing biofuel from tallow in 1992 after reading about the production of diesel from animal fat in America.
“It took me on a journey around the world,” he said.
“Attending biodiesel production workshops around the world including at Iowa state university and rendering plants in Germany that had moved into biodiesel fuel.”
A spokesperson for AJ Bush and Sons said Australia produces about 550,000 tonnes of tallow a year with 90 per cent of that exported for biofuel production.
“Given that we are the state’s largest service renderer, we have looked at domestic biofuels as a potential market,” the spokesperson said.
“Biofuels are promising but local demand is not yet at levels that would make them viable for us.
“Tallow-derived products are highly perishable so require cold chain logistics, as well as access to ports and markets.”
David said biodiesel is good for the environment because it burns cleaner and is more environmentally friendly.
“If you spill it into the ocean the fish will eat it,” he said.
“The irony for me is there is now a mad scramble for fuel. Australia could produce all of its domestic fuel requirements from renewable materials.
“It is disappointing the country missed the opportunity.”
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Tom Sharp said he would be open to looking at any plans to produce biodiesel at Bromelton, however he said it does come with major production challenges.
“I would welcome any contact with AJ Bush and Sons, but they haven’t raised it with me,” Mayor Sharp said.
Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz said with fuel shortages and rising prices it was prudent as a community to remain open to all technologies that can provide energy relief.
“I am encouraged by the Kalfresh biofuel project, which converts plant-based biomass into biogas,” he said.
“This technology has a clear role in the market, particularly in the public transport sector, where an ageing bus fleet will require replacement with newer, lower-emission technologies. These advancements will include engines compatible with B10–B100 biodiesel blends, which will be trialled as the project progresses.
“In the short term, measures such as the Queensland LNP’s push to fast-track the Taroom oil development project are critical.
“This project has a reserve footprint roughly the size of Singapore and production potential comparable to volumes seen in Texas, with the capacity to come online by 2028.”
