BIOMASS ENERGY PLANT —
COLLIE
1295. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the Minister for Regional
Development:
I refer to the government's
commitment to develop a biomass energy plant and solar farm in Collie, as
indicated by the Premier, who said, and I quote —
Labor would commit $30 million
towards a biomass power plant as well as the planting of timber needed to fuel
it. There would also be $30 million for a solar farm.
(1) How has the government
progressed the proposed biomass plant?
(2) When will the
proposed solar farm start producing energy, and how many jobs will the proposal
deliver to the Collie site?
(3) What plantings have occurred to
provide the fuel for the proposed biomass plant?
(4) Given the
time taken to grow the trees, how soon would the government's planted
forest be providing fuel for the proposed biomass plant?
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN
replied:
I thank the member for the question.
I point out that not all biomass plants operate on the back of plantation
timber, as the member would well know.
(1)–(2) A
prefeasibility study has been undertaken and is under consideration as part of
the development of the Collie–Bunbury economic development plan.
(3)–(4) Not applicable.