Townsville City Council has approved a development proposal for a clean energy hub at the growing Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct.
Queensland Pacific Metals (QPM) says it will commence development of its Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) project following the approval this week.
The TECH project is being established with a view to supplying new energy solutions to support the growing electric vehicle industry.
Mayor, Jenny Hill said the inclusion of the project at the precinct will elevate Townsville when it comes to developing an advanced manufacturing, renewable energy hub.
“We are proud QPM have chosen Lansdown as the future home for their TECH project which will create sustainable jobs for the region and help grow Townsville,” Mayor Hill said.
“This vote of confidence in our city and the Lansdown project is key to Council creating Northern Australia’s foremost eco-industrial precinct for advanced manufacturing, processing, technology and emerging industries.”
QPM Managing Director and CEO, Dr Stephen Grocott welcomed Council’s approval of the development application, saying the Lansdown Precinct was the ideal site for the TECH project.
“We’re very pleased to be a first mover in the establishment of Lansdown. Townsville is the ideal location for the TECH project due to its attractive location and its proximity to critical infrastructure, such as port, rail, road, gas, and water, in place together with quality engineering services and skilled labour,” Dr Grocott said.
“We thank the Council and also thank the State Government’s Office of the Coordinator General for their assistance in reaching this milestone.
“The TECH project was developed in response to the growing demand for battery materials for electric vehicles, particularly nickel and cobalt. Once operational the project will be a world-leading zero waste, carbon negative, sustainable, clean and green production facility.”
He said the project was being backed by world class shareholders including US industrial giant General Motors (GM) who have committed $108 million toward sourcing nickel and cobalt to power their upcoming electric vehicles including the GMC Hummer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV and Cadillac LYRIQ.
“QPM looks forward to operating a leading, advanced manufacturing facility in the electric vehicle supply chain and in helping the Council to establish the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct as a globally recognised centre of new-generation manufacturing,” said Dr Grocott.
It is the second development application to be approved over land within the precinct, with Edify Energy’s development application gaining approval late last year.
The Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government in association with Townsville City Council.
For more information about the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct visit townsville.qld.gov.au/lansdown.
