Jet Zero is one of the leading sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) developers in Australia across three projects in Queensland: Project Ulysses in Townsville (Alcohol-to-Jet SAF), Project Mandala also in North Queensland (HEFA SAF), and Project Silvo Plus, which is trialling the cultivation of both pongamia and agave as novel sustainable feedstocks.

Jet Zero CEO Ed Mason welcomed the Government’s new $1.1 billion investment as a step-change for SAF in Australia.   

“As a company focused on bringing the regions to the runway with SAF, we are extremely excited about this new funding support and what it means for our most advanced project, Project Ulysses,” Mr Mason said.

‘Drop-in’ low carbon liquid fuels are widely recognised as the most effective and practical pathway to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation. By fast-tracking project development Australia can strengthen fuel security through increased use of domestic agriculture-based feedstocks, when the country current relies on imported jet fuel for 91% of total consumption.

The government’s announcement builds on earlier funding commitments, including a total of $280 million for the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to invest in the low carbon liquid fuels industry and the Queensland Government’s recently announced $181 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund (SIDF).

Located in Townsville, the designated army capital for Australia and central to the North Queensland agricultural region, Project Ulysses is completing $75 million of engineering activities and early civil works and aims to commence construction in 2026.

Targeting production of 113 ML pa of SAF and renewable diesel by 2028, this several hundred million dollar project is one of the largest proposed investments for Townsville in over 25 years. Jet Zero aims to play an important role in providing clean fuels for flight, fuel sovereignty for our defence force and new demand for agriculture.

“I want to acknowledge the efforts of the Jet Zero team and our partners who have been advocating policy support for the sector over the last three years. We have seen voices supporting SAF broaden to include Defence and agricultural bodies such as the National Farmers Federation, Canegrowers and Grains Australia,” Mr Mason said. Ahead of COP30, Jet Zero supports the Government’s efforts towards a national SAF mandate to bring Australia in line with most of the G20, with international experience showing that mandates are the most effective way to provide producers with long-term demand stability and bring the regions to the runway with SAF.

For media inquiries please contact Jet Zero’s Media Team on media@jetzero.com.au

Leo Shanahan: +61422029730