Proposals have been put forward and surveys have been conducted for the construction of a desalination plant that will turn algae into bio-diesel. And it could all be started by the end of this year.

CubicQED director Philip Nelson said this would be the first time in Australia that algae base would be used to manufacture bio-diesel. Moree Plains Shire Council economic development officer Anthony Kunkel said this project could kickstart the development of a green industry in Moree.

“This has potential to start a new industry in the area and without the fuel versus food debate,” Mr Kunkel said.

“Many millions of litres of diesel is used locally in the agriculture sector and this has the potential to produce environmentally friendly fuel locally,” he said.

It is expected the new plant will have an initial capacity of 2.4 tonnes of algae biomass and 1200 litres of oil for Moree.

Growing incrementally, subject to demand, to 30 tonnes per day with 14,400 litres of bio-diesel.

CubicQED is in the process of formalising an agreement with the council and will spend the next week analysing data from a survey of locals. Mr Nelson said the company would then go through a research and development process, design and build the plant with construction hoped to start in the fourth quarter of this year.

Mr Kunkel said if anyone missed out on filling out the survey and wished to it could be downloaded from the council’s website or by contacting him. More information will be released from the analysis of the survey most likely next week.