Algae plant impresses Governor
Governor Malcolm McCusker fit in a visit to Aurora Algaeâs demonstration facility in Karratha on Wednesday during his busy Pilbara schedule.
The California-based algae producer has announced a 400 per cent increase in their Karratha plant, creating more than 200 jobs in the area.
Managing director Matt Caspari said after getting very good technical results from the demonstration facility, the next step was to approach the investors about going larger.
âWeâre building out a project that will be 400 hectares of alga growth ponds in two phases,â he said.
âThe first phase will be 100 hectares and the second will be up to 400 hectares. A lot of what has driven it is the results weâve had.â
Mr Caspari said the Governorâs visit highlighted what has been positive government support for the algae project.
âI think people are truly interested in diversifying the industry base up here,â he said.
âLooking at decades out, weâre looking at what can be up here beyond resources and algae fits perfectly.â
Mr McCusker said after touring the plant and learning more about the qualities of algae he was very impressed with the project.
âI think itâs a very good facility in itself and I think itâs also very heartening to see that weâve got other industries developing here (in the Pilbara) apart from simply mining industries.
âI am impressed by the amount of technology that has gone into this, the expertise from at least three different areas,â he said.
âThe Government does support lots of new industries being opened up here by providing them with land availability, expediting approval processes, all that kind of thing are things that government can do.â