By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
PLANS to use Geelong’s port as a major clean coal exporter are on council’s radar, according to acting mayor Bruce Harwood.
Reports this week mooted Geelong as an export point for a $250 million clean coal project in the Latrobe Valley.
The Independent reported last year a state parliamentary committee study on developing mining export opportunities said rail haulage to Geelong’s port would play a key role.
A coal mining plan last year for Bacchus Marsh also proposed using Geelong’s port for exports.
Cr Harwood said the Latrobe Valley clean coal export project was a “classic opportunity”.
Council would actively pursue bulk mineral export opportunities through the port, he said.
“It’s been on our radar. We’ve just completed the Geelong port landside infrastructure plan, investigating current land freight infrastructure and future capabilities.
“We had extensive consultation with the key stakeholders including Graincorp, Midway, Incitec Pivot, the port and the Victorian Regional Channels Authority.
“The port has been identified as an absolute key economic driver of the region and we will continue to grow opportunities so it can reach its great potential.
“The plan identifies infrastructure upgrades, along the lines of increased rail capacity and road transport access, potential development of further piers and dredging to increase capacity.
“If we are not competitive in that space we will not get into the game and it won’t attract industry. We have to do the work so industry has confidence in Geelong as an export point. Mineral sands, brown coal, black coal are all huge opportunities for us.
“It would take considerable state and federal buy-in but the plan is done and will be presented to state and federal ministers.”
State and federal governments have jointly funded the $90 million Latrobe Valley project to establish a demonstration plant using technology to upgrade Victoria’s vast but low-quality brown coal reserves.
“It is envisaged that, upon completion of the technology demonstration, a commercial facility will be able to be financed and constructed,” the Department of Environment and Primary Industries prospectus says.
A major Chinese power company is reportedly among several companies vying for the funding from the grant, offering a process to convert brown coal into black coal or oil, fertiliser or briquettes.
