HAMR Energy has been selected as one of just four projects in the Australian Government’s Investor Front Door pilot program, recognised by Treasurer Hon. Dr Jim Chalmers MP and the Hon. Catherine King Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
The Investor Front Door will streamline how project developers and businesses interact with government, helping them navigate approvals processes and fast‑track major projects in the national interest.(Australia Treasury Office)
Launched in September 2025 with the first tranche recently announced on the 9 April, the pilot phase will support a select number of projects of national significance by guiding projects through regulatory pathways and helping projects find suitable government financing opportunities, where applicable. The Pilot will run until mid-2027.
HAMR Co-founder David Stribley making the announcement alongside the Australia Treasurer The Hon Jim Chalmers MP and The Hon. Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
These projects have the potential to contribute up to $20 billion in investment in Australia.
Speaking at the unveiling at the Melbourne Airport event Treasurer the Hon Jim Chalmers MP said:
When it comes to the investment that HAMR Energy is seeking to make, this is all about more fuel, more jobs, especially in the regions and lower emissions but also making our economy more resilient and making our supply chains more reliable.
At the same event, The Hon Catherine King MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government said:
“I’m really delighted that 2 of the projects that the Treasurer has announced today are in the transport space. Here with HAMR Energy, what we’re seeing is that low carbon liquid fuel pathway using the biomass that comes out of the Portland forestry industry, that is often used in a range of different ways but not really adding value always to the supply chain, being able to be turned into low carbon liquid fuels for our jets, for our marine industry and for our heavy vehicle industry as well. A really important announcement.
It is great to see David, as the co‑founder, an investment that’s come out of an idea of a visit down to Portland and a tour around the area, that’s come out of an idea and actually seeing that come to fruition. You’ll see about 80 jobs in Portland, several hundred jobs over in South Australia, just out of this one project alone. But what it actually does is build resilience into our transport system and provide that opportunity.”
This announcement follows the successful close in February 2026 of HAMR Energy’s AUD 10 million Series A funding round, securing investment from major aviation companies Airbus and Qantas, as well as leading global industrial firm thyssenkrupp Uhde.
Four projects have been chosen to participate in the first Investor Front Door pilot:
- HAMR Energy’s Renewable Fuel Project in Victoria and South Australia – which will develop two facilities to convert biomass into low carbon liquid fuels.
This project will strengthen Australia’s fuel security by increasing the amount of fuel we produce here, support regional jobs and industries, and help reduce emissions across a range of sectors like aviation and shipping.
- Ardea Resources’ Kalgoorlie Nickel Projectin Western Australia – one of the largest nickel and cobalt resources in Australia, which could produce 30,000 tonnes of nickel and 2,000 tonnes of cobalt a year for 40 years.
This project will help to meet global demand for nickel and cobalt, bolster our position in clean energy supply chains, and support economic development in the WA Goldfields.
- New Energy Transport’s Wilton Projectlocated south‑west of Sydney – a large scale zero‑emission heavy road freight depot to help strengthen the resilience of our freight systems and supply chains.
This would be the first in a proposed network of electric freight hubs enabling zero emission freight transport between major cities, reducing our reliance on diesel freight and imported fuels.
- The Murchison Green Hydrogen projectin Western Australia – a green hydrogen plant producing large‑scale green ammonia using wind and solar.
The project aims to provide a model for commercial‑scale green hydrogen development and generate new green export opportunities to Asia and Europe.
These projects are investing in critical industries that could deliver hundreds of jobs during construction phases and in ongoing roles once operational.
ABOUT HAMR ENERGY : HAMR Co-founder ALEX SMITH is Chair of Melbourne Climate Network. The City of Melbourne.
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