Australian Paper has Works Approval from Victoria's environmental protection agency for its proposed $600m Energy from Waste (EfW) facilty, meaning the innovative project at its Maryvale Mill has cleared its last significant regulatory hurdle and will now, subject to finance, go ahead.
The EfW will reduce Australian Paper’s reliance on fossil fuels to stabilise its energy future, and support ongoing capital investment at the site. The Maryvale mill is the only fine paper mill in Australia, and is currently at the beginning of a $200m upgrade programme - a 26 day shutdown in August saw $51m invested in 30 different upgrade projects.
The Works Approval Application is a key component of Australian Paper’s $7.5m feasibility study into the EfW facility. The study has been equally funded by the Australian Government, Victorian Government and Australian Paper.
The facility would divert around 650,000 tonnes of residual waste annually from Gippsland and Melbourne landfill, and use it to create energy for the mill, using best available techniques in emissions control to comply with stringent European IED limits.
David Jettner, general manager Corporate Development at Australian Paper says, “Our facility is the first EfW project in Victoria to achieve a Works Approval by meeting the EPA’s stringent emissions standards. EfW is the missing link in Victoria’s waste management infrastructure.
“We are now working to secure long term access to residual waste supply and finalise engineering, procurement and construction details. We can then transition to closing out our financing arrangements for this exciting project.”
Australian Paper is one of the Latrobe Valley’s largest employers, supporting almost 2,400 jobs in the region. The EfW facility will create 440 new full-time jobs.
