Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Martin Cameron MP

Omnia Specialties Australia turns Latrobe Valley's coal into global agricultural success, expanding to US and Brazil

The Nationals highlight Omnia Specialties Australia's success, transforming Latrobe Valley's coal into global-demand fertiliser, boosting agriculture and creating jobs, with expansion into the US and Brazil markets.

By news@gippsland - 4th October 2024 - Back to News

The Nationals have discovered one of the Latrobe Valley's best kept secrets which has quietly evolved from a business with potential to a global success story. Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, and Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath toured Omnia Specialties Australia recently - an enterprise that turns acids found in the Valley's coal fields into a specialty fertiliser that is revolutionising agriculture in Australia and across the world.

The Nationals uncover Omnia Specialties Australia, a Morwell-based business transforming local coal into world-renowned fertiliser, boosting global agriculture and creating jobs in the Latrobe Valley

Coalfields drive innovation

Mr Cameron said, "Here in the Valley, our brown coal is uniquely rich in a compound called humate - possibly the richest of all humate mined in the world today - and it's this compound Omnia uses to enhance its fertiliser products. Demand for these remarkable products has created global demand, and Omnia is now targeting the northern hemisphere and opening in the US and Brazil, two of the world's largest agricultural markets."

"It's another prime example of just how valuable and resource rich our coalfields are, and the impact they can have on the state's economy, and it's all done right here in Morwell. This is exactly the sort of industrial development the state government needs to back instead of letting our brown coal go to waste because of ideology and politics."

"We have the coal-to-hydrogen project, which has gained the commercial support of the Japanese Government to the tune of $2 billion, which is a tremendous show of confidence in our highly-skilled workforce, existing energy infrastructure and resources. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve the significant economic and emission reduction benefits that a commercial scale clean hydrogen project will deliver, and we can do it right here in Gippsland if the state government comes to the party," he said.

Omnia boosts employment

Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath, said Omnia already employs more than 30 locals and is looking for more staff, in what could be a boon for employment in the region. "This remarkable good news business is going from strength to strength, which is a win for Morwell and the Latrobe Valley, a win for the importance of our coalfields, a win for our farmers and an opportunity with an incredible future."

"I can't imagine there are too many specialised Morwell products being marketed as far afield as North and South America on this scale and I am delighted to be able to spread this story, which is one well worth sharing," Ms Bath said.

Pictures from Martin Cameron MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
  Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase.
• Latrobe City launches investment campaign showcasing strength, innovation, and opportunities across Gippsland
  Latrobe City Council launched an investment campaign showcasing business strength, innovation, and opportunities positioning itself as Gippsland's hub for growth, transformation, and future industries.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park as lease nears end
  Latrobe City Council is inviting community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park, with the current operator's lease expiring in May 2026 under Crown Land Leasing Policy requirements for open and impartial processes.
• Latrobe Valley households to cut energy bills with efficient electric heat pump hot water system upgrades
  Latrobe Valley households can cut energy bills by $330 annually with efficient heat pump hot water systems, thanks to the Allan Labor government's SEC one stop shop pilot expansion.
• Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
  A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity.
• Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience.
• Latrobe City Council endorses community engagement on draft financial, asset, and road management plans
  Council endorsed community engagement on key draft plans, including the Financial, Asset, and Road Management Plans, ensuring alignment with the Community Vision, Council Plan, and long-term strategic planning framework.
• East Gippsland Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomes new members to strengthen engagement with farming
  East Gippsland's Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomed new members, enhancing council's connection with farming communities while tackling key priorities like renewable energy, drought resilience, mental health, and pest animal challenges.
• Darren Chester welcomes $6.2M Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment with upgraded facilities for Latrobe Valley sports clubs
  Darren Chester welcomed the $6.2 million Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment, providing modern changerooms and upgraded facilities through joint funding to support Latrobe Valley sports and long-term community participation.
• Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition.
• Nationals pledge to restore Parentline funding, criticise Labor's decision to axe vital family counselling service for Gippslanders
  The Nationals vow to reinstate Parentline funding if elected, condemning Labor's cut to the vital family counselling service that supports Victorian parents, particularly in regional communities facing limited access to services.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.
• Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
  Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety.