Renew Central Queensland
Central Queensland is a great place to live – sunshine, beaches, the Great Barrier Reef on your doorstep. To preserve this way of life, and continue to be an industry and energy powerhouse for Australia, the region needs clean renewable energy. With the right planning, the whole community can share the benefits of secure future-proof jobs for generations.
Australia’s energy powerhouse
For decades, Central Queensland has powered Australia and reaped the benefits with strong industry and jobs. But change is happening fast. The countries that buy our goods are cutting pollution and moving away from coal. Our national energy body the Australian Energy Market Operator says there will be no new coal projects. Every major mining company is cutting coal to reach its net zero emissions commitments. Central Queensland has faced too many cycles of boom and bust. Right now we need a plan that guarantees the region remains a great place to live and the community has future-proof jobs now and for the next generation. A clean energy transition for Central Queesland can be the turning point. We are at the start of a global clean energy boom with demand growing and Central Queensland is uniqely placed with its skills in manufacturing and exports to supply the world’s clean energy demands. Local community who will benefit most should have the loudest voice in the room and by coming together can demand our decision makers speed up the transition so Central Queensland maximises the benefits of clean energy. If we lead the transition today we can guarantee jobs for decades. “The best thing that we can do is be honest with people, honest with mine workers, honest with communities, so they can engage and plan for their future. I’ve got a lot of confidence in mine workers and communities that they can find their own solutions to these challenges.” Grant Howard, Mine Worker, Mackay
Gladstone’s next chapter
A coastal city in the heart of Central Queensland, Gladstone has long powered the nation with energy and goods like aliminium. Now with its sun, wind and port, Gladstone can transition into Australia’s clean energy powerhouse and bring more job security and prosperity to its community. Not only that, but a plan that seizes the renewable energy opportunity now can make Gladstone a place where our kids raise their own kids. The world’s largest facility for manufactoring renewable hydrogen equipment is coming to Gladstone. A well planned transition to clean energy will only bring more opportunities. Gladstone is and always has been a constantly changing city. It has got the talent, tools and adaptability to become Australia’s clean energy capital. Local people are coming together to advocate Gladstone fully embraces the clean energy boom to secure a bright future. Get in touch with ACF Community Gladstone and learn about the work they are doing in the community.
Join a group conversation today to discuss what Gladstone’s future should look like. “If anywhere can transform its economy and industry…and still create good jobs and opportunities, this is the place.” Hugh Bridge, Pilot, Gladstone
A big shift in energy
There are big shifts in industry, global markets and government all leaving coal and gas behind for clean energy – and it will have a big impact on Central Queensland. The region’s biggest employer Rio Tinto will halve its emissions across all operations this decade. Rio Tinto is decarbonising its Boyne Island and Tomago aluminum smelters that will soon require an incredible amount of solar and wind power. Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future industries are moving in with the world’s biggest electrolyser factory for green hydrogen in Gladstone. Australia’s key trading partners Japan, China and South Korea have zero emissions targets and don’t want to buy goods made with polluting energy anymore. They want clean energy. Allied countries are committing to cut climate pollution too, like the United Kingdom who will stop making coal power in the next four years. The Queensland government has a $2 billion fund ready to go for renewable energy and hydrogen jobs. The state government has also committed $145 million to renewable energy zones, including one in Central Queensland, that will generate, transmit, and store the anticipated influx of clean energy. We are at the start of a big shift to clean energy and Central Queensland can gain so much from embracing and producing in-demand clean energy and goods for decades.