First Loads of Biomass to Narrogin Plant

Harvesting Begins in the ARB

After many years on the drawing board the Narrogin Integrated Mallee Plant (IMP) is set to open. The first loads of biomass were harvested and delivered by the Oil Mallee Company in April 2005, as part of the commissioning process.

Dave McFall, Regional Manager at Narrogin, oversaw the operations on two properties where new harvest systems were trialled.

"Many mallees are overdue for harvest so we have been using traditional plantation methods including separate cutting and chipping operations. This involves a hydro-ax harvesting machine and trailable chippers as used for clearing under power lines."

"We are also testing other harvest systems designed for oil production and the OMC are continuing to develop the prototype harvester designed especially for full scale operation."

"We expect to deliver around 5,000 tonnes of biomass from a number of sites over the next six months."

First Payments Made

The first payments to growers occurred after 50 tonnes of biomass was delivered to the plant recently. Although a small beginning, the system is now in place for tracking loads of biomass, weighing and sampling the loads, ensuring compliance with our Code of Practice and establishing an audit trail.

Tym Duncanson of the OMC, which will be coordinating the deliveries, said " We have a few more logistical and chipping issues to resolve but we are on track to make deliveries when the plant opens for operation, hopefully in June. We have a large range of sites to choose from due to many growers planting oil mallees before 1998."

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