Industrial manufacturer Incitec Pivot has announced that it has secured arrangements for the continued operation of its chemical plant near the Port of Brisbane.
The company has secured a three-year gas supply agreement with APLNG that will meet the plant’s need through to 31 December 2022 and support an investment of over $100m by Incitec Pivot in major plant maintenance over the next three years.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who was welcomed to the Gibson Island plant on Tuesday by Incitec Pivot workers and Managing Director & CEO Jeanne Johns, said the agreement would provide job security for the 400 workers at the plant.
“For years, Queensland has been the state doing the heavy lifting when it comes to gas supply for Eastern Australia,” the Premier said.
“Domestic gas supply is vital for electricity supply, for energy for industrial customers and as a feedstock for companies like Incitec Pivot.
“Whether its Incitec Pivot here in Brisbane, Sun Metals near Townsville, or Rheinmetall’s soon to be completed Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence near Ipswich, Queensland is cementing its place as Australia’s new home of industrial manufacturing.
“We have the resources, we have the ports, we have the gas and we have the willingness to work with industry to find innovative solutions for their businesses.”
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Dr Anthony Lynham said Queensland’s move to allocate gas tenements exclusively for manufacturing was an important addition to the State Government’s domestic-market-only gas policy.
“We know that all businesses crave certainty when it comes to planning for future investment,” Dr Lynham said.
“Incitec Pivot’s three-year deal with APLNG provides them with that certainty to plan for the future.
Incitec Pivot Managing Director and CEO Jeanne Johns expressed his gratitude for the Queensland Government’s domestic gas policy.
“We are grateful for the support of the Queensland Government, particularly Premier AnnastaciaPalaszczuk and her Government’s domestic-only gas policy initiative to support local manufacturing businesses and jobs,” Ms Johns said.
“We also acknowledge the efforts of Minister Anthony Lynham and Minister Cameron Dick and their respective departments, for their valuable assistance in our endeavours on behalf of Gibson Island.
“The new supply agreement demonstrates the benefits of the Queensland Government’s domestic only gas policy initiative in supporting local manufacturing businesses and jobs in Queensland.”
