Manildra and Ethanol in the Shoalhaven

Ethanol is a fairly useful product for preserving specimens, as an additive in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, solvents, disinfectant and other medical uses. The most contested use however would have to be as a fuel for the worlds transport fleet.

Most people know that Shoalhaven is home of Manildras Shoalhaven Starches but somehow we ignore the fact that ethanol is produced here in large quantities.

I was asked today to comment on ethanol use in fuel by the South Coast Register so follows my comments.

Ethanol is not a viable replacement fuel for Australia's fleet, vast tracts of farming land are required to create the inputs for the product and seldom in Australia are the public made aware of the full life cycle costs of products.

Ethanol produced from grain/sugar cane not only needs land, but water, fertiliser, diesel to harvest and transport it to the production site. All of these inputs have a 'carbon cost' that needs to be accounted for.

With all of these 'costs' it makes ethanol a 'precious' commodity that should not be 'wasted' on the least valuable use.

Ethanol cannot replace oil derived fuels there simply is not enough land to grow the inputs and the growth of the inputs competes directly with food growing. This creates more pressure to clear more land and loose the valuable carbon storage of standing vegetation- a loose loose situation.

With the government mandating that ethanol must be part of the fuel mix this continues the reliance on the combustion engine, will drive up food costs ( remember that sugar and grain are two staple parts of a western diet).

With peak oil looming, low income regional communities like the Shoalhaven are vulnerable to fuel cost increases. We are reliant on private transport for the majority of our trips and would find it very difficult to get to work, school etc if fuel costs go beyond $2.50pl.

Instead of mandating for 'bio-fuels' the Government should be mandating for efficiency and for the introduction of electric vehicles- many benefits there- sustained car industry employment and less emissions from fuel-more wind and solar infrastructure needed = more green jobs etc.And of course it may seem like a tired old argument but improved public transport is imperative for Australia's future and not just in improving the efficiency of cities.

Supporting bio fuels needs a cautious approach so that we are not sacrificing food security and biodiversity  for fuel security this would be a backward step.