Published on Tuesday, 1 August 2023 at 8:51:29 AM
The Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) has been working collaboratively with Woodside Energy (Woodside) on a proposal that aims to transform greenhouse gases into useful products.
Together, the EMRC and Woodside are progressing a proposal to develop the Carbon to Ethanol Pilot Plant (Pilot Plant) on land owned by the EMRC at the Red Hill Waste Management Facility (RHWMF). The proposed Pilot Plant is a demonstration-scale facility that aims to test technologies that can convert greenhouse gases into useful products.
The EMRC has identified circular economy leadership and reducing carbon impacts as key goals in our Sustainability Strategy.
The proposed Pilot Plant would align with these goals, as it aims to collect a portion of the methane and carbon dioxide produced at the RHWMF, and convert them into an ethanol product, which could then be used as a fuel for mobile plant equipment on the RHWMF or transported off site for use elsewhere.
In progressing the proposed Pilot Plant, the EMRC and Woodside have taken an open and transparent approach to communication and feedback and have worked to engage stakeholders early in the project-cycle. By engaging stakeholders early, the EMRC and Woodside have been able to incorporate feedback received into the design of the facility.
For instance, the EMRC and Woodside received comments from community members about the proximity of the Pilot Plant to residential properties. Acting on this feedback, the EMRC and Woodside have identified a new location within the RHWMF that is further away from residences. The EMRC and Woodside also received comments from community members about the potential for lighting from the facility to impact visual amenity. The EMRC and Woodside are now looking at possible ways to reduce lighting use while also ensuring the health and safety of staff.
EMRC Chairman Cr Mel Congerton said: “There has been a genuine attempt by the EMRC and Woodside to consult with stakeholders early in the process. By consulting early, the EMRC and Woodside have been able to better understand the concerns of community members and use this feedback to inform the design of the facility.”
EMRC CEO Marcus Geisler added: “The EMRC and Woodside have appreciated the feedback we have received from community members. On more than one occasion, a community member has made a great suggestion, which we have gone on to incorporate into the design of the Pilot Plant. We aim to provide many opportunities for stakeholders to engage and provide feedback as the project progresses.”
He added: “The technologies that would be assessed at the Pilot Plant have the potential to shift the dial on the future treatment of greenhouse gases, as they look at them as a resource, rather than a challenge. It will be these kinds of powerful collaborations and innovative initiatives that could deliver significant environmental and social benefits to Perth’s Eastern Region, Western Australia and the world.”
At the EMRC Council Meeting held on Thursday, 22 June, the Business Plan for a Major Land Transaction in relation to the proposed lease of land to Woodside Energy for the Pilot Plant was adopted by Council. A draft Business Plan for a Major Land Transaction was released for public comment on 5 April 2023, closed on 19 May 2023 with no public comments received.
The Carbon to Ethanol Pilot Plant remains subject to government and internal approvals. Together, the EMRC and Woodside will continue to consult with stakeholders across all phases of the project. The next set of community information sessions have been planned for 2-6:30 pm 9 August 2023 and 9 am-1:30 pm 16 August at the RHWMF’s Waste Education Centre.
To learn more about EMRC, head to https://www.emrc.org.au/
To learn more about the Carbon to Ethanol Utilisation Pilot Plant, head to https://www.woodside.com/
ENDS
We have appreciated each and every comment we have received, and we look forward to hosting more sessions so that people can continue to have their say.
Notes to Editors:
Founded in 1983, the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (EMRC) is a forward-thinking regional local government representing the interests of four-member Councils located in Perth's Eastern Region: Town of Bassendean, City of Bayswater, Shire of Mundaring and City of Swan.
The EMRC provides a broad range of services across the region including waste management and education, resource recovery and sustainability initiatives-. Working in partnership with its member Councils and other stakeholders, the EMRC delivers local and regional scale projects across each of these areas for the benefit of the region.
Back to All News