Browse > Home / News / Wood pellet mill project in doubt

Wood pellet mill project in doubt

Posted on August 14, 2009, 9:09am and updated on August 15, 2009 at 10:14 am

Grant District Council independent planning assessors have deferred a decision on the proposed $25m industrial wood pellet plant near Mount Gambier, which places the future of the job-creating, $40m per year new industry in jeopardy.

Wood pellets (pictured) are a type of wood fuel, generally made from compacted sawdust .

wood pelletsIt is understood the Development Assessment Panel, which consists of councillors and community members, debated the application on Wednesday night for more than an hour, but failed to reach a decision.

The proposed Wandilo plant will employ up to 10 people and is expected to trigger significant economic spin-offs for the region’s timber sector, local transport and services.

About 56 truck movements are likely at the site each day. The product will be exported through the Port of Portland.

The plant — one of only two in Australia — was expected to thrust Mount Gambier into the world spotlight as being a major exporter of environmentally friendly heating products.

Development Assessment Panel chair Liz Travers said the panel wanted more information before making a decision.

She said she could not reveal the issues raised by panel members, given they were confidential and discussions were “held behind closed doors”.

The application by Plantation Energy Australia is non-complying given the subject land is located in a primary industry zone.

The plant is proposed to be built near Van Schaik’s organic waste plant and pine forests. The site is serviced by a gazetted B-double truck route.

A number of objections to the development were received from nearby landowners.

Wandilo Forest Road resident Mark McLean raised a cluster of concerns including noise, emissions, impact on native fauna, traffic, ground and surface water problems and lifestyle impact.

“The number of kangaroos which are killed by trucks/cars on Wandilo Road is staggering,” said Mr McLean, who explained the area was inhabited by frogs, red and yellow cockatoos, reptiles such as tiger snakes, koalas and bats.

“Even though Wandilo Road is a gazetted B-double route it doesn’t take away the fear/concerns that we have as parents and road users will be exposed to a further 56 truck movements on the road we and our children use each and every day.”

But in a report to the Development Assessment Panel, council planning and development director Leith McEvoy said the proposed development would contribute to the economic and employment needs of people living in the council area.

“The proposal will contribute to a diverse, competitive and efficient economy, with emphasis on value added and export orientated primary industries,” Mr McEvoy said.

“The proposal encourages investment and allows for the development of a new venture which is planned to be economically and environmentally sustainable.”

The plant would likely accept up to 350,000 tonnes of residue from plantation operations and produce about 250,000 tonnes of densified biomass fuel pellets per year.

It is understood CO2 reduction policies in Europe and Japan are driving demand for pellets.

SANDRA MORELLO

Tags: , , ,  

Comments

One Response to “Wood pellet mill project in doubt”

  1. The diplomat on August 14th, 2009 10:53 am 1

    As a pellet heater owner, I hope this gets built somewhere is our region. Europe and Canada have been using these for over 20 years. Very sustainable, very little waste and put out more heat than slow combustion. It would be a crime if our region did not start producing these pellets as we have a massive pine industry, we live in a cold climate, easy access to export logistics and endless supply of pine waste.