Why do we need to build renewable energy? Why do we need to protect nature? Why do we have a conflict in Queensland when we have so much land? How much nature is threatened? How does this compare to Queensland clearing? What is the total land required for the transition? Can't we build distributed energy? What can we do to build large-scale energy better? What planning regulations do we need to reform?

How does this compare to Queensland clearing?

Answer

In 2020-21, nearly 350,000 hectares of land was cleared, according to the Queensland Government’s Statewide Lands and Treecover Survey (SLATS).

That is more than 10 times the potential clearing to build Queensland renewables out to 2035, cleared in one year. Nearly 90% of this was cleared for pasture.

Between 2014-15 and 2018-19, 0.9% of likely koala habitat was cleared, while proposed wind farms could threaten 0.03% of likely koala habitat.

QCC believes any clearing is concerning and must be carefully monitored, particularly when it impacts threatened species. However, we also have to be clear on what are the biggest drivers of clearing in Queensland, and how we can reduce land clearing.