- The State Budget includes $7 million for Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone (BREZ)
- Funding will go toward common user infrastructure at central western Queensland site
The Palaszczuk Government's Budget will deliver a new renewable energy industrial precinct in Barcaldine.
A $7 million investment will support the proposed establishment of the Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone (BREZ), an industrial precinct in Barcaldine which will be linked to a large-scale, renewable energy project and provide manufacturing tenants with competitive low-carbon electricity.
The funding will go towards the costs of the common user infrastructure, including road access, water and sewage infrastructure to support the establishment of the BREZ precinct.
BREZ project will be developed and delivered by Sunshot Industries.
Already a number of tenants that have expressed interest in establishing within the proposed BREZ precinct.
This includes companies seeking to establish manufacturing facilities including a proposed ammonia, hydrogen and urea plant.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Steven Miles:
"The 2023-24 State Budget will not only deliver jobs and economic opportunities right across Queensland, it will also contribute to a cleaner future," Mr Miles said.
"Barcaldine is ideally located, with solar and wind resources, and the Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone precinct will support jobs in regional Queensland.
"Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone will help Queensland's transmission to a decarbonised future and drive renewable energy generation potential.
"Earlier this year, I released the Queensland New Industry Development Strategy, which aims to drive industrial and regional transformation in priority industries, including renewables.
"This investment is hard evidence that the Palaszczuk Government is serious about investing in new industries and making sure every inch of Queensland gets a bite at the cherry.
"Crucially, the establishment of BREZ provides an opportunity for the region to capture the economic benefit of this renewable energy resource and create employment in the region."
Quotes attributable to Economist Professor Ross Garnaut:
"Queensland has immense opportunities to use its rich renewable energy resources to underwrite the state's greatest era of economic development.
"The new zero emissions industry can bring full employment and rising incomes for a growing population for as far ahead as we can see.
"In this year's budget, the Queensland Government grasps the opportunity and sets state development strongly on a rich new pat.
"Sunshot Industries, an associate of ZEN Energy of which I am a Director, has been working with a range of companies interested in investment in the BREZ.
"There is active interest in a number of projects of various scale and adding up to transformational development for a small inland town. The budget decision will accelerate movement from active interest to real activity on the ground.
"It sets the state up as a central player in building Australia as an economic Superpower of the zero emissions world economy.
"Barcaldine was chosen as the site for the first rural renewable energy industrial zone because of its existing energy infrastructure, access to rail and road and strong support from local and state Government.
"I'm very much looking forward to watching the BREZ make its distinctive contribution to an exciting new era of development in the Sunshine state."
