Relief for Gladstone as LNP acknowledges the need to plan for a renewable future

Queensland Conservation Council has welcomed the joint Federal and State Government funding, under the Future Made in Australia legislation, to decarbonise Rio Tinto's Queensland assets especially Boyne Island Smelter.

This funding is sorely needed to secure economic opportunities for regional communities and keep Queenslanders safe from the worst impacts of climate change.

The Queensland Conservation Council is calling for the State Government to continue to plan for the future by ensuring enough renewable energy is built in the right places to replace Gladstone Power Station in 2029.

Queensland Conservation Council Regional Environmental Advocate, Emma Smith said

This is great news for Gladstone and all the workers and families around Central Queensland who depend on the Smelter's continued operation.

It's also welcome news for every Australian. Queensland has a huge opportunity to lead the world on rapidly reducing emissions by decarbonising our heavy industry. This will guarantee a future economy, and help avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Rio Tinto has been embedded in the Gladstone community since the 1960s. We welcome Rio Tinto's commitment to staying competitive in Gladstone and Queensland and commend the joint support of the State and Federal Government in unlocking a $7.5 billion investment in Queensland’s future.

This investment is necessary so that Boyne Smelter can access renewable energy supply and continue to operate beyond the end of Gladstone Power Station’s life in 2029. This renewable energy and transmission has to be built well, with strong Government planning to ensure legacy benefits for communities and a positive outcome for nature.

The Queensland Government’s Energy Roadmap does not adequately plan for the replacement of Gladstone Power Station with renewable energy in 2029. We need strong regional planning in Central Queensland to manage the cumulative impacts of renewable energy development and ensure that it is built well, to protect nature, boost regional economies and deliver lasting benefits to communities. The Queensland Government’s Regional Energy Hubs are currently just an idea and that is not good enough.

Time is running out. Gladstone Power Station is the state’s oldest, most unreliable power station. This announcement is further confirmation that the clock is ticking for this plant, and our towns, nature and workers must be looked after as it is replaced by reliable, affordable, clean renewable energy.

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