- Work progressing to establish a new renewable energy industrial precinct in central western Queensland
- Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone (BREZ) to help Queensland's transition to a decarbonised economy and drive renewable energy generation potential
- Community invited to have say on Palaszczuk Government's Queensland New Industry Development Strategy to grow industries and jobs of the future
Work towards establishing a renewable energy industrial precinct in Barcaldine is powering ahead, with discussions under way with several interested companies.
The Palaszczuk Government provided $7 million in the State Budget towards common user infrastructure to get the proposed BREZ precinct off the ground.
Acting Premier Steven Miles met with leading economist, Professor Ross Garnaut to discuss the BREZ ahead of today's Economic Thought Leadership Forum on decarbonising supply chains and growing new industries in Queensland.
Professor Garnaut is a director of ZEN Energy, the renewable energy company that owns Sunshot Industries, which will develop and deliver the BREZ project in partnership with Barcaldine Regional Council.
The proposed industrial hub would be linked to a large-scale, renewable energy project and provide manufacturing tenants with competitive low-carbon electricity.
Several companies have expressed an interest in establishing at the industrial precinct and discussions are ongoing with these companies.
The Queensland Government is continuing to work with Sunshot Industries and Barcaldine Regional Council, the Joint Venture partners for BREZ, as they determine the best and most efficient model to deliver the project.
It follows the release of the Queensland New Industry Development Strategy in May to grow industries critical to the global shift to a net zero economy, including renewable energy manufacturing.
Community consultation on the strategy has opened today and will run for about six weeks. Visit www.qld.gov.au/wearethefuture to learn more and have your say.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Steven Miles:
"Queensland is on the cusp of a new wave of economic growth driven by the global shift to a net zero economy and we are seizing this opportunity.
"Our government is investing in projects that will deliver jobs and economic opportunities in regional Queensland, while contributing to decarbonisation targets.
"Our targets of 70 per cent renewables by 2032 and net zero emissions by 2050, as outlined in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, are set to transform our infrastructure, energy system and economy.
"With its abundance of solar and wind resources, Barcaldine is ideally positioned to capitalise on this transition.
"Earlier this year I released our Queensland New Industry Development Strategy, which aims to drive industrial and regional transformation in priority industries.
"Our regions are uniquely set up to support this shift to new, high-value industries.
"This investment in the establishment of the BREZ is a great example of our commitment to making Queensland the state of opportunity in a decarbonising world.
"This is a strategy that will shape the economic future of our regions, so we're encouraging Queenslanders to have their say.
"Your feedback will help us develop regionally specific transformation strategies and allocate funding to projects that will create local jobs and support economic growth in the long term.
"We will continue working with industry and communities to ensure all the opportunities presented by the shift to a decarbonised economy are realised."
Quotes attributable to Economist Professor Ross Garnaut, author of The Superpower Transformation:
"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.
"Inland central Queensland has missed out on new jobs and rising incomes for over half a century. The Queensland Government recognises that the new Queensland opportunities are not confined to the great provincial cities on the coast. The support for an industrial precinct using renewable energy in Barcaldine will extend the new era of Queensland development west of the Great Divide.
"The Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone (BREZ) will provide a model for zero emissions rural development throughout Queensland and Australia
"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.
"The industries in the BREZ will be globally competitive, relying on low energy and materials costs for sales. They will be sustainable, increasing in value and scale as the world moves to zero net emissions. Employment and population in Barcaldine and the surrounding region will be able to grow after generations of decline".
