Farmers for Climate Action, representing 8200 farmers across Australia, has warmly welcomed bipartisan support for strong emissions reduction policies in Queensland.
Bipartisan support for strong climate policies is a key goal of our organisation. Following the announcement by the Queensland LNP Opposition yesterday that it will not oppose the Government's emissions reduction targets, Queensland farmers and businesses now have certainty, CEO Natalie Collard said.
"Bipartisan support for strong emissions targets gives certainty to farmers, businesses and investors," Ms Collard said.
"Climate change is already hurting farmers, driving up the costs of insurance as more drought, fires and floods occur. We need deep emissions reductions in this decisive decade to protect our farming families and our food security.
"The Sunshine state has strong sun, strong wind and a skilled mining workforce, so the energy shift really does play to Queensland's strengths.
"The energy shift is also a huge opportunity to create more careers for our country kids, so they don't have to leave their place for work.
"At Farmers for Climate Action, we know the energy shift has to be done with regional communities and not against them. This is too important to stuff up - it has to be done right.
"We know farmers are now typically being offered rent of more than $40,000 per wind turbine per year whilst they continue to farm beef or sheep, and being offered around $1500 per hectare per year rent to host solar while sheep continue to graze underneath the panels. This lucrative, drought-proof income is huge for our farmers and farm families.
"We also need to make sure there is direct benefit to the broader community from all energy projects, in all parts of Queensland and around the nation."
