Qld budget stays the course on renewables, fails iconic wildlife

Today’s budget shows Queensland is staying the course on the state’s energy transition with a significant $2.9 billion investment in the energy transformation, but failing our iconic endangered wildlife.

Peak conservation group Queensland Conservation Council has welcomed the Crisafulli Government’s investments in renewable energy and storage, but says the nature commitments fall far short of what’s needed to save species like koalas, quolls and greater gliders.

The good

• $2.9 billion to progress Queensland’s energy transition;
• $26 million for the Supercharged Solar for Renters scheme;
• The funding to deliver the election commitment of 150 new rangers for national parks;
• $117.8 million over 4 years to increase funding for Natural Resource Management groups.

The bad

• About 30 per cent less capital investment in renewable energy, storage and transmission infrastructure compared to last year;
• Almost $800 million allocated this year on new fossil fuel projects or maintenance for ageing coal and gas plants;
• No new funding for protected areas expansion;
• No new funding to seize the state's opportunity to support the development of Natural Capital programs that support regional communities
• No new funding to protect the state's endangered Koala populations

Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said

We welcome the Crisafulli Government’s significant investment in continuing Queensland’s energy transformation and delivering more storage.

We desperately need more energy storage like batteries and pumped hydro to soak up our abundant solar so at night we have cheaper and cleaner energy.

Unfortunately, the Government wants to have their cake and eat it too. While they’re funding new renewable energy and storage projects, they’re also funnelling hundreds of millions into polluting fossil fuels that risk the state’s 75% emissions reduction target.

Maintaining Queensland's coal royalties is a welcome step, but it's unclear from this budget if they are being spent wisely.

They should be used to invest in the clean energy and infrastructure that would sustain jobs and industries beyond coal and gas. If done right, coal royalties would ensure Queensland isn’t just ready for the energy transition, but that we are set to lead it.

This budget shows we are still not doing what it takes to tackle the state’s extinction crisis and save our most vulnerable species.

There is nothing in the budget to save our precious koalas, nothing for the vital bioregional planning to protect our most vulnerable species, and nothing for enforcement of our vegetation management laws.

The $39.6 million in this budget for protected areas is a reannouncment of the remainder of the $262.5 million committed in the 2022 budget, earmarked for already targeted acquisitions.

Without new funding for expanding protected areas, Queensland risks missing out on matched federal investment, giving the state less bang for our buck in protecting our special places.

Given the Premier’s commitment to private land conservation in June last year, it is disappointing no funds have been announced to help farmers create nature refuges on their land.

If the Government truly wants to protect nature for future Queenslanders and visitors, we need to get serious with a budget that matches that ambition. Sadly, this budget does not come close.

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