2. Compendium of Priorities and Initiatives (continued)
Resources, Energy and Tourism
Clean Energy Initiative
The new Clean Energy Initiative will support first‑of‑a‑kind industrial‑scale carbon capture and storage demonstration projects and help preserve the value of Australia's coal exports. The Clean Energy Initiative will include $2.0 billion over nine years to support the demonstration of industrial‑scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) flagship projects in Australia.
In renewable, the Clean Energy Initiative will provide $1.5 billion over six years to establish commercial‑scale solar power generation projects in Australia and $465 million over four years for a new innovation body, Renewables Australia, to promote the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy
Renewable Energy Fund
The Government launched the $500 million Renewable Energy Fund over seven years in February 2009. It includes the $435 million Renewable Energy Demonstration Program to accelerate the commercialisation and deployment of new renewable energy technologies; the $50 million Geothermal Drilling Program to accelerate the development of the geothermal industry, and the $15 million Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program to support the research, development and pre‑commercialisation of second‑generation biofuel technologies.
Energy Innovation Fund
The Energy Innovation Fund provides $150 million over four years (2008‑09 to 2011‑12) to support research and development in the energy sector. It includes $100 million for research into solar thermal and solar photovoltaic technologies and $50 million for the Clean Energy Program to support projects in the area of renewable energy technology, energy efficiency, energy storage and hydrogen transport fuels.
National Low Emissions Coal Initiative
The National Low Emissions Coal Initiative will accelerate the development and deployment of technologies that will reduce emissions from coal use. It is supported by the $500 million National Low Emissions Coal Fund between 2008‑09 and 2014‑15, designed to generate a further $1 billion in investment by other stakeholders in research, development and demonstration of low emissions coal technologies.
Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute
The Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute, hosted by Australia, was launched in April 2009. The Australian Government will provide up to $100 million each year to the institute to accelerate commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS). Australia will benefit from the work of the institute in deployment of CCS across coal‑fired power stations and natural gas processing plants throughout Australia. These industries generate significant employment in rural and regional Australia.
Tourism initiatives
The Government is developing a National Long‑Term Tourism Strategy to consider the supply‑side challenges facing the tourism industry and to promote investment in tourism initiatives and increase Australia's competitiveness as a travel destination. The Government is also developing a National Tourism Accreditation Framework to ensure the quality of tourism products and services.
TQUAL Grants
The Government launched TQUAL Grants in April 2009, with up to $8.5 million available over two years (2009‑10 and 2010‑11) under a competitive program to fund eligible tourism projects across metropolitan and regional Australia. The new program will promote innovation in Australia's tourism offering and greater local/regional economic linkages.
Regional tourism projects
In the 2008 Budget, the Government committed to supporting 11 regional tourism projects totalling around $4.6 million. These projects are being funded through the Australian Tourism Development Program and will develop quality tourism precincts, experiences and strategies for growth.
Queensland Tourism Assistance Package
A package of support to Tropical North Queensland is being successfully implemented to assist the region manage and plan for changes arising from significant aviation cuts. The Government announced a $4 million recovery package during 2008, which comprised $2 million for marketing measures and $2 million for supply‑side measures.
Tourism Bushfire Recovery Package
Following the February 2009 Victorian Bushfires, the Government worked to develop and secure support for a joint Victorian—Commonwealth package of assistance to tourism businesses in the affected and adjoining areas, through demand and supply measures. The $10 million Tourism Bushfire Recovery Package will help get tourists back to regions economically affected by the bushfires, including Victoria's High Country, Gippsland and the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
Rum Jungle — Northern Territory
The Government has provided $8.3 million over four years between 2009‑10 and 2012‑13 to contribute to the resolution of environmental, economic development and Indigenous land access issues currently presented by the Rum Jungle site. The initiative will have a positive impact on the Batchelor region in the Northern Territory.
The project will:
- undertake site monitoring and maintenance activities at the former Rum Jungle site, which will provide regional employment opportunities and contribute to the protection of the Finniss River system
- bring together the site's traditional owners, the Northern Territory Government and industry to guide and contribute to this process
- support ongoing management of the site to maintain and improve the effectiveness of the current rehabilitation structures.
Ethanol Production Grants Program
The Ethanol Production Grants Program is designed to encourage the use of ethanol in transport in Australia, commencing in 2002 and operating until 30 June 2011. Grants are paid to ethanol producers at a rate of 38.143 cents per litre. Recipients include Dalby Biorefinery (Dalby, Queensland), CSR Distilleries (Sarina, Queensland), Honan Holdings (Nowra, New South Wales), Schumer (Woongoolba, Queensland) and Tarac Technologies (Nuriootpa, South Australia).
Encouraging the expansion of the uranium industry
The Uranium Industry Framework is a government‑industry partnership established to address the key issues facing the uranium industry, including skills shortages, transport impediments, regulatory streamlining and ensuring Indigenous engagement and community benefits from the sector. In 2008, the Government allocated $10.6 million to support the development of the uranium industry from 2008‑09 to 2011‑12. The Government is considering a number of uranium projects for development in rural and regional areas of Australia.
The change in policy in Western Australia to allow uranium mining means that a number of mines are undergoing assessment for development in the next three to four years in remote and regional areas of the state, which could generate up to $3.2 billion in gross state product to 2030. The Australian Government is working with the Western Australian Government to ensure that regulatory requirements are in place for uranium mining to meet Australia's stringent standards.
Gen2 Biofuels Research and Development Program
Second‑generation biofuels have the potential to reduce Australia's reliance on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, and enable fuels to be derived from low‑cost, non‑food materials. The $15 million Gen 2 Program was launched in October 2008 to support research, development and demonstration of new biofuel technologies. During the initial process, 32 applications were received, seeking grant funding of $90 million, to leverage projects valued in total at $230 million.
Working in Partnership Program
The Working in Partnership (WIP) Program is allocated $0.5 million a year to support and encourage cultural change taking place in relations between Indigenous communities and the mining industry, promoting long‑term, effective partnerships that benefit all stakeholders. It provides funding for regional workshops and support for committees and projects that address issues such as employment, education and training, business opportunities, cultural awareness, capacity building and economic empowerment. To date, 13 workshops have been held in regional centres around the country and two forums have been held in Adelaide and Mount Isa, resulting in increased cooperation between the Indigenous communities, industry and government service providers in the area.
Kimberley LNG Precinct
The Government is working with the Western Australian Government, Woodside Energy and the Kimberley Land Council to establish a site for a new regional LNG precinct in the Kimberley to develop Browse Basin gas reserves. The aim is to maximise the opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate in, and take advantage of, the economic development that will arise from this project.
Further information
Further information about these and other resources, energy and tourism initiatives relating to rural and regional Australia is available at www.ret.gov.au.
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