Mill claims bio-energy solution
Hinchinbrook lifestyle proves a haven for retirees
THE Far North’s biggest sugar miller believes its $75 million green energy power station holds the key to solving the country’s energy woes.
MSF Sugar has urged the Federal Government to consider more renewable generators to fix a forecast shortage in baseload power.
MSF Sugar Business Development Manager Hywel Cook said the company’s plans could deliver a biofutures legacy for the Far North.
“Our green energy power plant will turn a 100 per cent sugar cane fibre product known as bagasse into electricity and is our first foray into the exciting bio-fuels space,” Mr Cook said.
“But the difference is our plant will produce this power 24 hours a day, as opposed to homes with solar panels that produce electricity for around six hours a day.
The plant is under construction and will produce 24 megawatts of electricity – enough to power 26,280 homes – when it comes online in June.
“Once the process is proven, the model can be easily replicated in other locations of Australia, essentially feeding the electricity grid with biofuel-based energy sources,” Mr Cook said. THE most popular place to retire in Queensland is Hinchinbrook Shire which has beaten the Fraser Coast to be crowned the grey capital of the state.
According to CoreLogic, 26.3 per cent of the 10,990 people living in Hinchinbrook are aged 65 or older. CoreLogic senior research analyst Cameron Kusher said the relatively low cost of housing might mean that as people retired they were more inclined to move to somewhere like Hinchinbrook.
Mary Brown, Hinchinbrook deputy mayor, said the shire had “a relaxed lifestyle, easy access to shops and services, affordable housing, comprehensive health services and a safe and friendly community.”