Queensland's regions missing out on billions in investment

Queensland is the only Australian state that has not done a deal with the Federal Government for national support to build more local renewable energy and storage projects.

The Australian Government has made Renewable Energy Transformation Agreements with every other state to increase coordination and support the national goal of reaching 82 per cent renewable energy by the end of the decade. Under the Victorian agreement, the Federal Government has pledged to underwrite 6.7 GW of renewable energy and storage projects, unlocking $14 billion worth of investment.

The Queensland Conservation Council are calling on the Queensland Government to urgently negotiate a deal with the Australian Government so the Sunshine State doesn't miss out on its fair share of federal funding.

Queensland Conservation Council's campaigner Stephanie Gray said

Regional Queensland communities deserve their fair share of federal funding. We’re concerned recent moves by the Queensland Government indicate they’re opposed to new clean energy investment, which if true, is bad news for regional economies, power bills and climate action.

The Queensland Government has recently cancelled a wind farm they previously approved and moved to implement controversial legislation changes that will make it very challenging to get a large-scale renewable project approved.

As our ageing coal fleet heads towards retirement, it’s only practical to make sure that new renewable energy supply is coming online to keep the lights on, manage power bills and reduce emissions in our most polluting sector.

Queensland's ageing coal power stations broke down a staggering 78 times over the last summer period. We simply cannot depend on our coal clunkers anymore, and their unreliability is driving up wholesale power prices.

Queensland has enviable solar and wind resources. These natural advantages are an opportunity for regional development that doesn’t cost the earth if we get the planning and policy settings right, so projects are built in the right places and benefit the local community.

Alongside further investment in new clean energy supply, we’d like to see the Queensland and Australian governments work together to urgently deliver the bioregional planning that they jointly promised three years ago.

This regional-level planning is essential to steer development away from prime agricultural land and irreplaceable habitat.

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