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‘Potential for 5000 jobs’:
Bill is introduced as state moves towards a new four-bin system
Hydrogen car, bus, truck manufacturing in Gld?
GIPPSLAND could become Australia’s leader in the development of hydrogen-based industries as the region rapidly transitions from brown coal power generation to renewables. An agreement signed between Gippsland Circular Economy Precinct Pty Ltd, (GCEP) and H2X Global Ltd, has set in motion an ambitious plan to manufacture hydrogen fuel cells, electrolysers, hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles and a range of hydrogen power units, including generators and emergency power supplies. GCEP is a consortium of Gippsland-based businesses. Its executive director, Brett Singh, said while he was unable to release details of the manufacturing sites and what they might look like just yet, they would be located in Gippsland, utilising technologies not currently available in Australia. He said the project had the potential to create 5000 jobs in the region. Mr Singh said Gippsland’s high level of engineering, power generation and manufacturing expertise was a major factor in the decision to establish the centre of excellence and renewables precinct in the area. GCEP chief executive Scott McArdle and executive director King Arthur said strong corporate players were being attracted to Gippsland to renewable opportunities. They said the community support had also been strong, and need for jobs and industry transition was “extremely important”, adding signing the agreement with H2X Global – an international leader in the development and manufacture of fuels cells and hydrogen powered vehicles and machinery – would help to fast-track the plans for the Gippsland precinct and the overall economy of the region. The H2X product range includes utilities, vans, trucks and buses. H2X has developed its own highly efficient hydrogen fuel cell technology and hydrogen power trains to install into its vehicles and machinery. The company recently engaged in a strategic partnership with listed hydrogen producer Pure Hydrogen. H2X chief executive and founder Brendan Norman described the Gippsland venture as “one of the most exciting opportunities to build a successful hydrogen economy” that he had seen. Mr Norman is preparing to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow
A new agreement has set in motion an ambitious plan to manufacture hydrogen fuel cells, electrolysers, hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles and a range of hydrogen power units, including generators and emergency power supplies, in Gippsland. It has successfully fostered significant investment into the region through securing Octopus Investments Australia and the Clean Energy Finance Council as investment partners which have now wholly acquired the Perry Bridge and Fulham Solar Farm projects. These projects are currently working through electricity off-take opportunities to support green hydrogen initiatives with the GCEP team. The GCEP project will also provide a strong regional hydrogen value chain leading into a large hydrogen facility proposed at the Gippsland Renewable Energy Park and other proposed local hydrogen facilities in the region, including Port Anthony.
to speak about the project, putting Gippsland on the international stage. “This is a great opportunity for Gippsland to engage with hydrogen technology and provide new enterprises new jobs and training in support,” he said. “We aim to assist in establishing Gippsland as the world’s preeminent location of green hydrogen excellence. “We are now investigating a number of manufacturing options including fuel cell production and some vehicles.” The Gippsland Circular Economy Precinct Pty. Ltd. is a partnership between Gippsland businesses Marathon Group of Companies, Ferguson Civil, Solis RE and Nexsys Industries Consulting, which have built a strong consortium approach to developing an integrated hydrogen economy in the region. The members of GCEP, (via Solis Gippsland Projects) have also originated several renewable energy projects in the Gippsland region, including the Perry Bridge Solar Farm, Fulham Solar Farm and the Gippsland Renewable Energy Park.
THE state government has introduced new measures which it says will “strengthen” the state’s waste and recycling sector, to deliver new services such as the container deposit scheme and four bin recycling system. Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister said from July 1, 2022, Recycling Victoria would oversee and regulate the state’s waste and recycling sector, following the introduction of the new Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Bill into Parliament last Wednesday. The new legislation is part of the government’s $515 million spend, aiming to reduce waste, boost jobs and increase the amount of resources recovered by recycling. The government says the new measures will help divert up to 650,000 tonnes of organic waste away from landfill and boost Victoria’s economy by up to $6.7 billion by 2030, creating nearly 4000 new jobs. The bill will support Victorian councils’ transition to a four-bin household recycling system. It will also help deliver a new container deposit scheme, which will enable people to return cans, bottles and cartons for a cash refund to increase recycling, reduce litter and provide community organisations with opportunities to raise money. Ms D’Ambrosio said the measures would ensure waste and recycling services were “reliable, meet community expectations and contribute to Victoria’s waste and recycling goals”. “We know Victorians want to be able to do more to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and use resources wisely – this new legislation helps to do exactly that.” “These reforms will revolutionise household recycling, drive business innovation and create jobs of the future – delivering Victorians a recycling system they can rely on.”Recycling Victoria will be part of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and will work with partner agencies, including Sustainability Victoria and the Environment Protection Authority. For more information www.vic.gov.au/recycling
Sale RSL activities planned
lake walk activity around Lake Guthridge, Sale. The events are all postponed activities for this year’s Veterans Health Week, which ran from October 16 to October 24, until November. Supported by the Australian government’s Department of Veterans Affairs, the theme for this year is ‘get moving’, aiming to encourage veterans and their families to get out and undertake some physical activity. The Sale RSL has received funding from DVA for six activities, but because of COVID restrictions, DVA approved the Sale RSL to delay some activities until November, to take advantage of the planned easing of restrictions in early November. For more information or to book for an activity, phone Sale RSL on 5144 2538 or 0409 046 976.
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SALE RSL is planning a range of activities in coming days. They will include a lunch and presentation on ‘getting physical’ at Sale RSL this Saturday, November 6, from 12.15pm (entry costs $10). A free urban orienteering activity will be held in Sale CBD, followed by a free barbecue, this Sunday, November 7, from 1pm. There will be free barefoot bowls session and a barbecue dinner at Sale Bowls Club next Thursday, November 11, from 5pm. A AE2 Golf Day at Maffra Golf Club will be held Sunday, November 21, from 9am. The cost is $10. The Department of Veterans Affairs has also provided funding for vouchers for exercise at Aqua Energy gym in Sale, and vouchers for a coffee and
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Times-Spectator, Tuesday, 2 November, 2021 – Page 5
