Central Highlands Regional Council, Media Release, 1 April 2026

Council has welcomed the Queensland Government’s plans for a cutting-edge biofuel plantation near Emerald.  

Mayor Janice Moriarty joined state government, education, business and industry representatives at an initial tree planting of 16,000 Pongamia trees recently to mark the commencement of the project. 

“This is a positive and exciting development that will advance the Central Highlands by creating jobs and enabling local landholders to diversify their operations into biofuel crops,” Mayor Janice Moriarty said. 

“It also highlights that our region is attracting significant international interest and investment.” 

Pongamia trees are non-edible and produce oil rich seeds well suited to biofuel production.  

The establishment of a pilot plantation north of Emerald will pave the way for tens of thousands more trees across the region. 

The large-scale project will be delivered through a joint venture between Japan’s Nippon Steel Trading and Queensland based Energreen Australia, positioning the region at the forefront of Australia’s growing biofuels industry. 

It supports Queensland’s Biofutures 10 Year Action Plan and Roadmap and is expected to strengthen the Central Highlands’ $1 billion agricultural sector. 

Biofuels are a renewable energy source that can help reduce carbon emissions.  

The two main types produced in Australia, biodiesel and bioethanol, are used as alternatives to diesel and petrol, supporting a more sustainable energy future.