The Nationals have discovered one of the Latrobe Valley’s best kept secrets which has quietly evolved from a business with potential to a global success story.
Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, and Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath toured Omnia Specialties Australia recently – an enterprise that turns acids found in the Valley’s coal fields into a specialty fertiliser that is revolutionising agriculture in Australia and across the world.
“Here in the Valley, our brown coal is uniquely rich in a compound called humate – possibly the richest of all humate mined in the world today – and it’s this compound Omnia uses to enhance its fertiliser products,” Mr Cameron said.
“Demand for these remarkable products has created global demand, and Omnia is now targeting the northern hemisphere and opening in the US and Brazil, two of the world’s largest agricultural markets.
“It’s another prime example of just how valuable and resource rich our coalfields are, and the impact they can have on the state’s economy, and it’s all done right here in Morwell.
“This is exactly the sort of industrial development the state government needs to back instead of letting our brown coal go to waste because of ideology and politics.
“We have the coal-to-hydrogen project, which has gained the commercial support of the Japanese Government to the tune of $2 billion, which is a is a tremendous show of confidence in our highly-skilled workforce, existing energy infrastructure and resources.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve the significant economic and emission reduction benefits that a commercial scale clean hydrogen project will deliver, and we can do it right here in Gippsland if the state government comes to the party.”
Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, said Omnia already employs more than 30 locals and is looking for more staff, in what could be a boon for employment in the region.
“This remarkable good news business is going from strength to strength, which is a win for Morwell and the Latrobe Valley, a win for the importance of our coalfields, a win for our farmers and an opportunity with an incredible future,” Ms Bath said.
“I can’t imagine there are too many specialised Morwell products being marketed as far afield as North and South America on this scale and I am delighted to be able to spread this story, which is one well worth sharing.”
