At the most recent Ordinary Council meeting, Glen Innes Severn Council approved a motion directing council officers to prepare a report outlining the potential costs, benefits, and risks of investing in or forming a public-private partnership with local technology innovator, Seata.
Seata, who have their research and development centre on West Furracabad Road in Glen Innes, have developed clean energy and carbon sequestration technology that uses advanced thermal treatment of carbon-based wastes diverted from landfill into valuable commodities. This patented carbon negative technology has the potential of locking up carbon in the form of Biochar, producing a synthetic gas (Syngas) which can be used as an energy source while reducing emissions and from waste products entering landfill.
Examples of carbon-based wastes that can be used in the plant are food and organic waste (FOGO), biosolids and animal waste, cardboard, pallets, and crop and forestry residues.
The plant, if approved, will be able to process carbon-based wastes from local landfills, reducing the space required for future waste disposal. The plant would also have the capacity to process waste from other Local Government Areas in the region.
The motion, put forward by Cr David Scott, mentioned a number of potential uses and benefits on a local level, including the possibility of Council generating income by becoming an energy supplier. Potential benefits to the local economy, particularly the creation of jobs, were also cited.
Councillors speaking in favour of the motion indicated their belief that it was necessary to move quickly to begin investigating the potential risks, benefits and viability of Council being involved in the use of Seata technology in some way, before the opportunity is lost to any number of neighbouring councils. The motion was passed 5:2 with Councillors Sparks and Elphick voting against. Council staff at the meeting indicated cautious support for an investigation and emphasised the need for Council to proceed carefully in an incremental approach.
The motion passed in the General Council Meeting was only for investigations to be made into the potential risks, benefits and costs to Council, should it decide to proceed with the formulation of a business plan and an alliance with Seata. It did not include any authorisation for investment or expenditure in relation to the technology.
More information about Seata technology can be found at www.seatagroup.com.au
