Naturally Exotic
Plantations
ABN 57334219688
Proprietor
Don Gowar
30 December 2013
The Chairman
Indigenous Jobs and Training Review
Dear Mr Forrest,
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the Review’s discussion. I believe that
this is one of the most important issues facing the nation.
My impressions of the successful construction and operation of the Snowy Mountains
Scheme were gained during my 35 years of employment there, hence my reference to
the Snowy’s enabling legislation.
I have been interested in the research and development of the bio-diesel prospects of
Pongamia trees for some years and believe that such an industry may be relevant to
your deliberations.
I apologise for the necessary detail and length of my submission, and will understand if
you are unable to include it with your live publications.
Yours sincerely,
Don Gowar
Submission to the Indigenous Jobs and Training Review
Current Situation.
Mr Andrew Forrest recently reported that the considerable effort (instigated by his and other
participating West Australian companies) to provide empowering employment opportunities to
aboriginals, had reached an unsuccessful conclusion, and should be replaced.
The Prime Minister’s convening of the Indigenous Jobs and Training Review, is seen as an
effort to address the ongoing problems inherent in the isolation of aboriginal communities from
participation in mainstream national progress, and the consequent dysfunctional expression of
hopelessness and the loss of culture, self-control and social responsibility, prevalent in many
communities.
The following proposal attempts to address this vital issue in association with what are seen as
other extremely critical national dilemmas. It would provide aboriginal communities with the
means of continuing their vital emotional and spiritual attachment to their land, whilst
producing a sustainable, valuable commodity. The possibility of remaining on their tribal lands
would allow the solution of the housing difficulties currently being experienced by itinerant
workers.
Other issues impinging on the country’s future are:

The possible imminence of ‘peak oil’ and the consequent manipulation of fossil fuel
prices by market manipulators, as evidenced in the current Singapore market
determination of Australian diesel prices. These manipulations have a profound effect
on the economy of Australian businesses and communities which are predominately
reliant on road and rail transport of goods and materials over long distances. In 2009,
total diesel consumption in Australia was 19GL, 48% of which was imported (Biofuels
Association of Australia1).

The current strategical risks inherent in the absence of a reasonable refinery operational
capacity within the country are of concern. Reliance on the replenishment of very
limited military and domestic fuel reserves from overseas sources, appear to be
extremely hazardous!

The announced termination of production of General Motors Holden vehicles and the
probable effect on domestic production by Toyota and parts suppliers in Australia, and
the consequent severe effects on employment in those industries. The lack of a vehicle
manufacturing base must surely have a strategic impact.

The high contribution of motor vehicle emissions in the nation’s total greenhouse
gasses (Department of the Environment2).
Proposed solutions to the foregoing issues include:

The predominant issue of inclusion of the aboriginal communities within the national
economic and social mainstream, could perhaps be achieved by the utilisation of the
tribal lands for the production of an integral component of the nation’s transport fuel.
This could promote the feeling of ownership, which may have been lacking in the
previous strategies which were more reliant on integration.
The recent establishment of trial plantings of the oilseed tree, Pongamia pinnata, within
the aboriginal community of Hope Vale, indicates that community’s interest in the
production of feedstock for the extraction of bio-diesel.
Such production of suitable bio-diesel feedstock from oilseed trees could be a
community-satisfying integral component of a large national enterprise, and would
provide communities with a legitimate income and eventual ownership of cultural,
health and education services. Remote off-grid communities would supply their
electricity and water supply needs through the use of locally produced fuels. There are
currently several trial plantations underway: 50ha in the aboriginal community Hope
Vale; 300ha at Origin Energy, Roma; and 3000ha South of Mackay. Extensive research
has been carried out into genetically superior strains and silviculture conjointly by the
University of Queensland and Bioenergy Plantations Australia.
Suggested aids to plantation establishment are: deep-ripping to a depth of 70cm can be
used to fracture soil along the contour to enable retention of surface and subsurface
flows; inoculation with Mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma (Nutri-Tech Solutions), and
appropriate species of Rhizobia.

The production and national distribution of a stable-priced 100% biodiesel fuel
(Bobade and Khyade, July, August, 2012), suitable for use in Australian designed and
produced diesel car, truck, train, and aircraft motors. Prices would be stabilised relative
to transport costs and retailer profit.
Nationalisation or federal collaboration with one or both of the two remaining vehicle
manufacturers through the purchase of the GM Holden and/or Toyota manufacturing
facility for the production of re-designed turbo-diesel motors for cars and trucks.
Domestic sales of locally manufactured diesel vehicles could be enhanced by applying
tariffs to imported vehicles, which are currently improperly subsidised by the exporting
governments; through taxation concessions for manufacturers and fleet buyers; and by
subsidising the cost to consumers. Petrol-driven vehicles should gradually become
subject to severe carbon emission penalties.
Possible outcomes from the adoption of the proposed scheme.
There should be a substantial decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions as a result of replacing
fossil diesel with carbon-neutral fuel, generated from growing carbon-absorbing trees.
In 2012, registered motor vehicles in Australia consumed 31,839 million litres of fuel. Of the
total fuel consumed by motor vehicles in 2012, 57.3% was petrol and 37.7% was diesel.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013).
Using the Department of Environment’s estimates of 2.3 kg CO2/L for petrol and 2.7kg CO2/L
for diesel engines (Department of Environment1, 2008), total emissions from vehicles in 2012
were 41.96 Mt CO2 (petrol), and 32.41 Mt CO2 (diesel).
Full-scale adoption of possibly carbon-neutral (ICFRE Annual Report, 2012), bio-diesel
powered vehicles could thus yield a reduction in annual emissions of 74.4 Mt of CO2. Such a
reduction would represent a 13.5% reduction in the published 551.9Mt total Australian
emissions (Department of the Environment2, 2012). Conversion to bio-diesel from fossil diesel
usage alone would yield a reduction in national Greenhouse Emissions of 5.9%.
Sufficient finance would be required to initiate the scheme and would need to be adequate to
support a comprehensive trial of all of the component aspects. These include:
 surveys of suitable native title and additional lands to be operated by aboriginal
communities;
 R&D of biodiesel refinement and any required additives;
 R&D of turbo-diesel motors and the degree of treatment required for the cold-pressed
oil, with extensive testing carried out on all stages.
Pongamia oil (AKA Karanj, Glabra Oil) is freely available from Indian processors at a cost of
$US1.35-$2.5/L so these R&D stages could proceed immediately (Alibaba, 2013).
The returns from initial investment would be long-term; however, superannuation funds may
be interested in supporting a scheme of such national importance.
The bagasse-type by-product obtained from the initial processing of the oil-seeds would be
useful as soil mulch and stockfeed. The aboriginal communities would perform the processing
and storage of the seed and make use of the bagasse. Then the seed stock would be supplied to
the refineries as required, in order to produce a steady supply of biodiesel to consumers.
Refineries should be strategically located with regard to the sources of seed stock, and the
distribution routes to areas of major consumption. It would be possible to site modular
refineries in many plantation areas.
Implementation.
It is believed that this proposal could be feasible under a collaborative legislation similar to
that employed under the Defence Act in the creation of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The
current critical situation could be considered to warrant a similar approach.
Legislation of a National Collaborative Authority such as the 1949 Act used to create the
Snowy Mountains Authority.
‘….the Chifley Government passed Federal legislation, using its emergency powers
under the Defence Act, declaring the project necessary for defence purposes. A
compromise was reached on utilising the waters for both power and irrigation’ (NSW
Parliament).
Such a Commission would authorise and control the component Divisions responsible for:
 Research into, and Development of, highly productive oil-seed trees and silviculture
methods for marginal lands;
 technology for the refinement of biodiesel from oilseeds;


development of any necessary additives;
and the refinement and production of compatible turbo-diesel motors for cars and
trucks.
The on-going operation should be guided by a nationally respected person experienced in the
organisation of disparate sectors. A high-ranking military officer similar to Peter Cosgrove may
be an appropriate Commissioner.
The definition and responsibilities of the Divisions that would be required for the diverse
operations of the organisation would be determined by a Steering Committee, chaired by the
Commissioner, and consisting of experts in each field.
The prospective Divisions and possible members are suggested:

Operational – Andrew Forrest, (Peter Cosgrove)

Aboriginal consultant and facilitator – Noel Pearson, Warren Mundine

Legal ??

Financial – Bernie Frazer – Members Equity Bank

Pongamia Genetic Research – Professor Peter Gresshoff, UQ

Pongamia silviculture & biodiesel production – George Muirhead, Gary Seaton
(Bioenergy Plantations Australia)

National Vehicle Manufacturing Director - ??
Whilst implementation of the proposed system would be a major and difficult undertaking, it is
believed that the hardships currently being experienced by aboriginal communities demand
redress on a national scale. It is envisaged that this proposal could meet the needs of aboriginal
communities and also avert future national fuel crises – benefitting every Australian.
Signed
Don Gowar
References
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Annissa, Surendra, Keredin, & Raju. (2013) Assessment of biomass and carbon sequestration
potentials of standing Pongamia pinnata in Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India.
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Bobade, S., & Khyade, V. (August, 2012). Preparation of methyl ester (biodiesel) from Karanja
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2012. Downloaded from http://www.isca.in/rjcs/Table-of-Content.php , 14/12/2013.
Bobade, S., & Khyade, V. (July, 2012). Detail study on the properties of Pongamia pinnata (Karanja)
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