Generating opportunities out of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will be on the agenda in Biloela tomorrow, as members gather for a fourth and final Central Queensland Regional Community Forum for 2022.
Tomorrow's Central Queensland Regional Community Forum will include presentations on the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, the Banana Shire Council's economic and growth priorities, and the Department of Education's digital upgrades in Queensland schools.
Forum members will also visit the Callide Manufacturing Company which is within the Central Queensland Renewable Energy Zone.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni and Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher will attend tomorrow's Forum in Biloela.
Assistant Minister for Education and Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga & Rockhampton MP Barry O'Rourke will co-chair the Forum.
Minister de Brenni said Central Queensland Regional Community Forum members had been active throughout the year, setting priorities in the Action Plan and enhancing liveability and sustainability in the region.
"The Central Queensland Forum has specifically informed the development and finalization of our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan," Minister de Brenni said.
"At this meeting Forum Members will be making a direct contribution to the future of regional Queensland and how we share the benefits and opportunities created by the energy transformation," he said.
Minister Butcher said taking forum members to Callide Manufacturing Company will be a great showcase of local skills and capability.
"We know our Queensland and Central Queensland manufacturers are some of the best in the world," he said.
"These local businesses will play a huge role in the Energy and Jobs plan rollout and the Palaszczuk Labor Government is doing everything we can to support them in the transition.
"95 per cent of the $62 billion plan will be invested in regional Queensland, along with 70 per cent of the 100,000 good jobs created."
Assistant Minister Lauga said CQ will be a powerhouse in the clean energy revolution.
"With a major focus on energy and infrastructure across the state this year, Central Queensland Forum members provided direct input into the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and the Central and West Queensland Regional Infrastructure Plan – having their say on the future of employment, energy and service delivery," she said.
Barry O'Rourke said there are renewable energy opportunities abound in Central Queensland – long-known as the heart of the state's electricity network.
"As we transition to renewable energy, the workforce here in Central Queensland will be at a competitive advantage, having developed skills in heavy industries over many decades," he said.
"The region is currently home to around $350 million worth of renewable energy projects, generating 150 megawatts – with another 300 megawatts of renewable projects committed in the region.
"Through Powerlink Queensland, the Queensland Government will deliver $365 million for Central Queensland Grid Reinforcement, ensuring reliable power supply into the future."
The Central Queensland Regional Community Forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across Queensland tomorrow, with other Forums set for Western Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast, Far North Queensland, North-North West Queensland, Darling Downs South West and the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region.
The Regional Community Forums are part of the Queensland Government's Advancing Queensland's Regions strategy, supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.
