Bold claim: turning vegetable scraps into renewable energy could reshape farming and power grids at the same time. But here's where it gets controversial: Can a single project truly scale to power thousands of homes while keeping farming land intact? Let’s break down what this Scenic Rim initiative is really doing, why it matters, and what it could mean for the future of farming and energy.
A new $291 million facility is rising at Kalbar in the Scenic Rim, west of Brisbane. The project is led by Kalfresh, a major Queensland producer of carrots, pumpkins, onions and beans, in partnership with climate-investment firm Wollemi Capital and the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC). The 40-hectare Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct will convert processing offcuts, farm waste, and rotational crop residues into renewable natural gas via anaerobic digestion. Microorganisms break down the organic material to produce biogas (which can be used for energy) and fertiliser, with the remaining solids repurposed as soil amendments.
Though anaerobic digestion is already widely used in wastewater, landfills, and some food-waste contexts across Australia, this project represents the first large-scale deployment of the system in an Australian farming region. When operating at full capacity, officials say the facility could power up to 31,000 homes or fuel up to 98 million kilometres of truck and bus travel each year.
The project is pitched as a farmer-friendly path to renewable energy. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie notes that the state government has supported the plan since 2019, when it was given coordinated-project status, with about $80 million in capital funding and backing from QIC. He emphasizes that this biofuel solution could address concerns some people have about wind or solar farms by providing a tangible, local energy source that farmers can back—turning waste into gas that powers homes, vehicles, and industry in a reliable, affordable, and sustainable way.
Kalfresh CEO Richard Gorman says the idea has been in development for more than a decade. He recalls first encountering anaerobic digestion and points to examples in Europe and North America where the technology already powers households and fleets for companies such as Amazon and UPS. Gorman describes the project as an energy model that fits the Scenic Rim, offering an alternative to mass-scale solar or wind installations on farmland. He highlights several benefits: adding value to crops, reducing input costs for the farm, and supplying fertiliser to improve soil health.
Beyond energy and agriculture, the plan aims to create substantial employment. The construction phase is expected to generate around 1,000 jobs, with about 475 roles continuing long-term during operations. Gorman stresses that the plant would rely on locally sourced feedstock—vegetable scraps and other farm waste—thus supporting regional farming communities while contributing to a more resilient energy mix.
Officials say the plant could be operational by mid-2027, with a vision to establish similar facilities across the state as a broader strategy to link agriculture with energy production.
Discussion questions for readers:
- How do you weigh the trade-offs between new bioenergy facilities and land-use considerations on farms?
- Could this model be adapted to other regions with different crops and waste profiles?
- What policy conditions would help ensure transparency, environmental safeguards, and fair benefits for farmers and local communities?
