Statement on the independence of Queensland’s Conservation Councils

9 October 2024

Queensland Conservation Council and the state’s nine Regional Conservation Councils have a long, proud history of independent advocacy for nature and climate, having served communities across the state for many decades.

The state’s Conservation Councils are community-led not-for-profit organisations who together represent and work with thousands of individual members and smaller conservation groups

These grassroots community organisations work hard across multiple conservation, climate and environmental issues and are staunchly independent. Across the state, Conservation Councils are working with communities on the ground to engage genuinely in the assessments of renewable energy development to highlight issues or concerns and identify improvements.

The Regional Conservation Councils and QCC stand together to strongly assert their independence from State Government and industry after false statements made to the contrary in conservative forums in regional areas.

Conservation Councils receive limited State Government funding to provide a valuable community service by representing the interests of the local environment to government, industry and decision-makers, drawing on the unique local knowledge, expertise of regional conservationists, scientists and First Nations people.

Our policy positions and public advocacy efforts are the result of decades of experience working deeply within our communities, complemented by the best available science and First Nations knowledge. The independence and integrity of the Regional Conservation Groups and QCC has been rigorously maintained and demonstrated over many years and to all levels of government and industry, and importantly, to the wider community.

The state’s Regional Conservation Councils have long recognised that climate change poses an existential threat to nature, including local wildlife and ecosystems. For this reason, we strongly advocate for a nature positive renewable energy industry that increases biodiversity in Queensland, and empowers First Nations people and regional communities, while providing affordable and reliable clean energy.

We are therefore collectively and consistently strongly advocating for better national and state planning frameworks to ensure renewable projects are not sited in environmentally sensitive areas. We are working diligently and collaboratively within our regional communities to ensure the local environment is prioritised and protected through the renewable energy rollout.

Regional Conservation Councils, such as Capricorn Conservation Council, are on the frontlines with the community - attending REZ Workshops, proponents’ consultation sessions, joining community liaison groups and bringing the community together so everyone has access to clear, transparent information about the transition to renewable energy.

Regional Conservation Councils are calling on proponents and the State Government to continuously improve every step of the process from site selection, planning, consultation, social and environmental assessments and more. Regional Conservation Councils are bringing the communities’ concerns directly to the decision makers to ensure the community, biodiversity and Country is protected through-out this transition. These conservation councils are working with their local councils, state and federal members and government departments to get this transition right and protect and restore what we have left.

Queensland Conservation Council supports Regional Conservation Councils to do this work and connects the regions together to ensure a united force for nature, climate change and renewables.

For more information on our position on this issue, please see our latest joint statement on Building Renewables to Benefit Nature and Communities.