Wimmera Biodiesel Opportunity For Farmers

Wimmera Biodiesel is currently building a plant at Kaniva, in western Victoria. It will produce biodiesel from mustard seed, canola seed and tallow. The plant is expected to be on line by February ’08 and they’re holding an Open Day on November 16.

About The Project

A joint venture between Steven Hobbs, www.bebioenergy.com and Paul Martin, Grown Fuel, Paul and Steven are encouraging Wimmera farmers to grow their own fuel. Once harvested, grain can be bought to the plant for crushing and biodiesel production for on farm use.

They say it has been argued that farmers should only grow food as the oil market will create food shortages, but for too long farmers have been underpaid for the food that they grow. Now is the time for there to be a price correction in this market as we can no longer

• justify shipping food or fuel around the world
• afford the carbon emmissions generated by fossil fuels, NOR
• afford to chop down forests to make way for biodiesel created from palm oil.

This project offers an employment and investment opportunity.

Open Day Details

OPEN DAY November 16th, 11am till 3pm
FREE BBQ, Live Radio Broadcast & Tours of the Plant.
LOCATION: 18ks from Kaniva, please contact info@wimmerabiodiesel.com.au for directions.

Paul and Steven on the future of biodiesel

“Importantly, there is no need to move away from the existing internal combustion engine technology and infrastructure. Billions of dollars of investment has been spent in the current engine technology and the use of bio-diesel will allow the world the continued use of this infrastructure.

The necessary infrastructure to distribute bio-diesel is already in place and simply uses the existing fossil fuel network. Joshua Tickell, in a recent presentation explained, “there is approximately 15 trillions dollars invested in the current fossil fuel infrastructure. To change to a totally new infrastructure would bankrupt every country in the world.”

The skills and technology to produce oilseed crops also exist. Since the introduction of rapeseed, we have seen the phenomenal growth in the oilseed industry with numerous Canola varieties being released…almost one to suit every application of broardacre farming. The dawn of the Genetic enhancement era may also lead to major advancements in breeding, benefits that may not be achievable with conventional techniques.

With a vegetable oil based energy economy, all of a sudden, the whole energy market is de-centralised. Every nation either has the capacity to grow vegetable oil, fats and tallows or access them. The few multi-nationals who have control over exploration, extraction, refining and distribution of the worlds energy loose their power. All of a sudden, it is possible even for the worlds poorest countries to be able to grow and produce their own energy demands and reduce their ever growing national debt. Wealth has a more equitable distribution, and with that comes new opportunities.”