Thomastown electorate
Bronwyn HALFPENNY (Thomastown) (14:54): (1085) My question is to the Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing. I have been approached by local business Deep Hole Drilling Specialists, who previously received support from the state government to install a biochar production system that uses a pyrolytic heat process. The company produces the biochar from non-chemical-treated pine crates sourced through the circular economy. Clean heat from this process is, in turn, used in the company’s pre-heated ovens for the deep drilling process, thus reducing the reliance on gas. The company is now looking for opportunities to sell the biochar. Biochar can be used in agricultural applications but also as an industrial agent for improving chemical properties of materials including concrete, asphalt, industrial ink, paints and resins. Minister, what is the government doing to support business in my electorate to locate markets and educate industry about the benefits of such products and processes?