Queensland Shadow Minister for Environment Stephen Bennett has today taken a behind-the-scenes tour of Northern Oil Refinery in Gladstone.
Speaking onsite at Northern Oil Refinery, Mr Bennett praised the world-leading facility.
“The refinery has positioned not only the Gladstone region, but Queensland, as a technology leader in the sustainable development of a nationally and globally important new industry,” Mr Bennett said.
“It’s the most environmentally responsible treatment of waste lube oil, where every component of the waste lube oil is reused and 99 per cent of the lube oil component is recovered as high quality lube oil for use.”
Mr Bennett commended Gladstone Regional Council for taking advantage of the progressive waste management practice and encouraged other councils throughout the state to follow suit.
“All waste oil producers and collectors, including councils and mines, should be following Gladstone’s lead and actively seeking environmentally-friendly and sustainable alternatives in waste management,” Mr Bennett said.
“The refinery presents councils with an opportunity to access the next generation in waste oil management.
“It is word leading technology and I would encourage other local governments to specify their waste lube oil is recycled, not burned.
“Remarkably, greenhouse gas emissions would be dramatically reduced by about 1 million tonnes per year if Australia’s entire collected waste oil was re-refined instead of burned.”
Mr Bennett said as well as providing environment benefits, the industry has created new jobs and economic benefits for the region.
ENDS.
September 3, 2015.