The Western Australian Biofuels taskforce has recommended a target of 5 per cent biofuel consumption by 2010, switching to a mandate by 2011 if the 2010 target is not achieved.
The Western Australian Biofuels taskforce has recommended a target of 5 per cent biofuel consumption by 2010, switching to a mandate by 2011 if the 2010 target is not achieved.
Releasing the taskforce's final report this morning, Minister for Agriculture and Food Kim Chance said WA had the capacity to develop a sustainable biofuels industry.
"I think this is the way forward in taking WA from, where I think we're behind the 8-ball, to being leaders in this field," Mr Chance said.
The taskforce was convened in February 2006 to assess the key opportunities and impediments to developing a biofuels industry in WA.
Among the report's 24 key recommendations was for government to provide start-up support for biofuel production facilities, particularly smaller scale projects in regional areas, and to provide market leadership and market signals by adopting biodiesel and ethanol in government fuel contracts.
The taskforce also recommended incentives for the take-up of biofuels by consumers, including the reduction of stamp duty and vehicle registrations for low emission vehicles, in addition to public education and information programs.
Taskforce member and Member for South West Paul Llewellyn MLC said the taskforce recommendations seek to make the WA biofuels industry market ready in preparation for regulatory drivers at either a state or federal level.
He said volumetric targets were a good short to medium term measure, with a transition to low carbon fuel standard a more effective mechanism in the longer term.
The full text of an announcement from the Minister's office is pasted below
Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance today formally accepted the independent Western Australia Biofuels Taskforce Report.
The report was completed by the Biofuels Taskforce, a cross-party working group which was established in February 2006 to identity the key opportunities and issues for the future development of a biofuels industry in Western Australia.
Mr Chance said that during the past 14 months, the Biofuels Taskforce had undertaken extensive consultation with industry and developed recommendations on how to assist with the emerging Western Australian biofuels industry.
The Minister thanked the chair of the taskforce, Hon Graham Giffard MLC, and the other members including Paul Llewellyn MLCA, Terry Redman MLA and Nigel Hallett MLC.
"The taskforce has independently investigated issues such as feedstocks, development assistance, market drivers, consumer confidence, regulation, environmental issues and targets as opposed to mandates," Mr Chance said.
"They have done a tremendous amount of work and laid out some 24 challenging recommendations to the Government addressing the economic, environmental and social aspects of biofuels, both from a government and industry perspective."
The report is now available to all stakeholders and the Government will seek public comment on the report until July 15.
Mr Chance said that once feedback from stakeholders had been received and reviewed, the State Government would assess the report's recommendations and respond formally.
