Muswellbrook Biorefinery Set For Construction

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A state-of-the-art biofuel research facility will be built at Muswellbrook following a $4.6 million contribution from the state government.

Council has spent three years working with the University of Newcastle, Apace Research Limited (Apace), Ethanol Technologies Limited (Ethtec) and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to make the Hunter Pilot Biorefinery (HPB) a reality, and the state government's contribution means construction can finally get underway.

"It was the last piece of the puzzle in terms of funding for this particular pilot refinery," said Muswellbrook Shire Mayor Martin Rush. 

"It's just a great outcome for all concerned."

The new facility is set to revolutionise the biofuel industry by manufacturing ethanol from agricultural waste, which will decouple the fuel industry from the food industry.

Previously, biorefineries created fuel from agricultural products that could otherwise be used.

Up to twenty researchers and technicians are expected to be employed at the biorefinery, and as a shared access pilot plant, anyone innovating in biorenewables research will able to use the site.

Martin Rush says the technology used at the plant is "critically important" in making the bio-economy economically viable.

The $30 million facility will be built on Thomas Mitchell Drive.

Fill Up Your Tank Before the Long Weekend...

BY JESSICA ROUSE

If you need to top up your tank, you'd better do it before the long weekend as petrol prices are expected to rise.

According to the NRMA it's good news for Hunter motorists right now with Newcastle the 10th cheapest in the state to fill up, but not as cheap as Maitland which is the 8th cheapest.

NRMA Regional Corporate Affairs Adviser Helen Machalias believes we are quite lucky in the Hunter as far as price goes, but what happens after the long weekend is anybody's guess.

"So we expect that it will peak over the long weekend and then we'll just have to see what the prices are like after that."

The NRMA also stress that shopping around is the key to getting the best bang for your petrol buck.

"We encourage Hunter motorists to use the NRMA app to shop around because it allows you to compare petrol prices either along the route that your taking when your travelling or just in your local area," said Helen Machalias. 

As of this morning you could get Unleaded for 118.2 at the Rutherford Puma, or 117.9 at the Metro in Islington.

To shop around head to https://www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au/App/

Image river1467.com.au