Battery plant a focus of US trip
MAYOR Jenny Hill is heading to the US at the end of the month to meet the proponents of a proposed $ 2 billion battery plant in Townsville.
She hopes to convince the venturers to proceed with the development, which has been forecast to create 1000 jobs.
Last November, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who will also travel to Boston, announced a $ 3.1 million grant towards a feasibility study for a Townsville lithium- ion battery gigafactory. There have been no announcements since, other than that the proponents are progressing with further funding discussions.
It is understood a feasibility study for the Townsville project would cost $ 12 million.
Ms Palaszczuk told Parliament last week she would attend BIO International Convention in Boston and would be joined by the mayors of Gladstone, the Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Townsville, Rockhampton and Bundaberg.
“I will also meet the proponents behind a proposed battery factory for Queensland, further entrenching Queensland’s position as a leader in renewable energy,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Cr Hill said the invitation to the convention gave the city a chance to present the oppor- tunities available here to global businesses and investors.
She said transforming and diversifying Townsville’s economy was a key component of the City Deal and the council was committed to doing everything possible to ensure the battery plant was built here.
“While over in the US, I will be meeting with the international partners of the proponents behind the battery plant and restate the benefits of building it in Townsville,” Cr Hill said.
“The battery plant has the potential to transform Townsville’s economy for decades and create a major new export industry for the city.
“The plant will position Townsville as a world leader in advanced manufacturing, particularly as lithium- ion batteries will play a key role in transitioning to clean and sustainable industries.
“It’s expected the battery plant could create more than 1000 direct and indirect jobs in Townsville.”
The convention attracts 16,000 biotechnology and pharmaceutical leaders in areas such as drug discovery, biomanufacturing, genomics, biofuels, nanotechnology and cell therapy.
A consortium led by investment group Boston Energy and Innovation signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding with Townsville City Council last year to investigate building a 15 gigawatt- hour battery manufacturing plant in Townsville.