The Richmond Project

Richmond Central Queensland, removal of prickly acacia, an invasive week, restoring farming land

Australian innovation, grounded in regional impact.

Nova BioEnergy is putting its solution into action in Richmond, North Queensland, one of the regions hardest hit by prickly acacia. Through a landmark agreement with Richmond Shire Council, we're removing the weed from 10,000 hectares of council-managed land, including the 20 Mile Reserve and Town Common, returning it to productive Mitchell grasslands.

The harvested biomass will be torrefied and sold to high-energy industrial users, reducing emissions in kilns, furnaces, and other thermal applications. This initiative provides a real-world demonstration of how climate-smart innovation can restore land, support local jobs, and supply clean energy alternatives at scale.

Local leaders recognise the need for a practical, scalable solution. Richmond Shire Mayor, John Wharton, notes that farmers have been seeking a solution to the weed problem for years, saying “we've spent a lot of money and time trying to control prickly acacia and we need to make it a viable product for an industry.” He says of the initiative with NovaBio Energy, “we think it's great, and there will be a lot of jobs in the process.”

Nova BioEnergy’s initiative in Richmond is the first of many. It’s proof that an invasive weed can become a resource, and that a national environmental crisis can be met with practical, scalable innovation.

This is a win, on every level.

For farmers and graziers

The Richmond project restores access to productive land by removing a weed that’s crippled grazing and farming operations for decades. It puts control back in the hands of those who work the land, and adds value where it was once lost.

For regional economies

It brings real, long-term employment to rural Queensland, creating jobs across harvesting, logistics, processing, and export — supporting families, local businesses, and economic resilience in areas that need it most.

For the environment

By removing invasive prickly acacia, we’re reversing land degradation, restoring biodiversity, and cutting emissions, turning a major ecological threat into a climate-smart fuel alternative.

For Australia

It positions us as global leaders in circular innovation, showing how we can solve entrenched environmental problems while creating new export industries and contributing to the clean energy transition.