Capturing the benefits of Queensland's renewable energy through a big battery blitz will be on the agenda tomorrow in Townsville, at the third North-North West Queensland Regional Community Forum for 2022.
Leading up to this week's major energy announcement, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the forum would discuss ideas on sustainably powering the state into the future.
"With regional Queensland already playing a big role in solar energy, large-scale batteries can capture the cheap and clean energy generated by Queenslanders, and best use it to drive down power bills and ease the cost of living," the Premier said.
"North-North West Queensland forum members get to be part of this, helping to unlock investment in good clean energy jobs, better services, and helping to protect our great lifestyle in regional Queensland.
"During this third round of forums for 2022, forum members will visit sites that will help support further regional investment, and drive future energy security."
Water management and rural education and training will also be discussed in Townsville tomorrow.
"Regional Forums are about strengthening our Government's partnership with regional Queensland and a greater opportunity to influence government decision-making," the Premier said.
"Forum action plans which address the social and economic priorities of North-North West Queensland will be tabled tomorrow.
"I thank forum members for all the work they've been doing between forums and for the valuable contribution I know they'll provide during this third round of forums tomorrow."
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer, Minister for Resources Scott Stewart and Assistant Minister for Treasury Charis Mullen will join North-North West Queensland forum members in Townsville.
Member for Mundingburra Les Walker will again chair the forum.
Tomorrow's forum will begin with a tour of the Black River Battery Project, followed by an overview of renewable energy solutions.
The forum also includes presentations on the North Queensland-based Water Sensitive Cities sustainable water management adoption hub, justice services in regional Queensland hydrogen industry skills demand and rural and remote education.
Mr Walker said the last forum discussions had centred around housing accessibility opportunities and challenges.
"All discussions across forum rounds have provided the foundations for the development of the North-North West Queensland forum action plan," Mr Walker said.
"Over the past two months forum members have been working to finesse their plan in partnership with the Queensland Government.
"The third forum for 2022 will allow working groups to provide an update on the progress underway to bring their forum action plan to life."
The North-North West Queensland forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across Queensland tomorrow, with others taking place in Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Far North Queensland, Central Queensland, Darling Downs-South West, Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast and Western Queensland.
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.
