Indigo Shire Council welcomed a visit from the Victorian Minister for Agriculture Mr Bob Cameron to the Shire today (Tuesday July 04) at the $40 million Barnawartha Biodiesel plant.

Indigo Shire Council Mayor Cr Peter Graham said it was testament to this $40 million Barnawartha development that it had generated interest from the State Government and its Agriculture Minister.

He said as this was the first biodiesel plant of its type in Australia it was certain to continue to attract high profile interest and support.

“There has been a significant amount of work conducted at the site already and it was an honour to show the Minister the progress at the site and to highlight the benefits of this development,” he said.

“Council is proud to have supported this plant, that will not only create 24 new jobs in Indigo Shire but is leading the way in cutting edge technology that will help the environment.

“We also acknowledge the support of Biodiesel Producers Ltd for their additional financial support including additional funding of $28,000 for Council to reseal Indigo Creek Rd between Plemings Rd and the Freeway along to upgrades to Plemings Rd Bridge.

“Minister Cameron was particularly interested in the future potential that the Barnawartha plant could create an opportunity for local farmers to grow oil seed crops to be converted into biodiesel.”

Minister Cameron said the Biodiesel plant at Barnawartha positioned the North East as a great place of innovation and praised Indigo Shire Council for supporting the venture.

He said the rise and rise of fuel prices added to the importance and relevance of biodiesel in Australia.

“In the future the biodiesel and agriculture interface will develop even further with the potential to use canola oil which will certainly interest the grains industry,” he said.

“This is a great initiative and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development have been watching the development closely.”

Biodiesel Producers Ltd Managing Director Mr Andrew White said the Minister’s visit was a continuing demonstration of Government support for the project at a Federal, State and Local level.

He said the project continued to be on time and budget with an expected completion date of February 2007 and first commercial production in May 2007.