- New frameworks to ensure energy providers work closely with councils and local communities to ensure locals benefit as part of the energy transition
- Range of multimillion dollar initiatives to facilitate local partnerships and empower regions.
- Record investment in Queensland's regions helping lead global energy landscape.
The Premier announced a government initiative to work with landholders and communities to ensure locals benefit first from the energy projects in their region.
This announcement is backed by $9.25 million investment, through the Local Energy Partnerships initiative.
Following meetings with Local Government representatives from all across the state, regional communities will officially be recognised as full partners working together to help regional communities benefit from our energy transition.
The initiatives to deliver on local energy partnerships come after months of consultation with regional communities on the best ways to supercharge local outcomes from the state's Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
Through the Partnerships initiative the government will also establish the first Community Leader Energy Councils to formalise channels for engagement on the first renewable energy zones.
As well as ensuring energy providers and local councils work collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for locals, today's commitment will help local businesses become part of the supply chain.
Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
"I've heard directly from landowners how important it is that they benefit from our renewable energy future.
"Our government will continue to invest in good jobs and new industries, while working with landholders over the life of energy projects.
"Local voices need to be heard and that's what this partnership is all about."
Quotes attributable to the Deputy Premier, Steven Miles:
"Our mighty regional communities have not only built this great state, but they are the key to Queensland's future success as a clean energy superpower.
"Regional Queenslanders have told us how their communities can best benefit from the energy transformation, so we will act by embedding local voices in everything we do.
"The Big Build of the Queensland SuperGrid is the biggest economic opportunity in a generation, so it's important to our Labor Government that it leaves a generational legacy of prosperity for our regional communities.
"Because Queenslanders kept their energy network in public hands, Queensland has the power like nowhere else in the nation to ensure a secure transition to renewable energy and to guarantee good jobs for our energy workers.
"Over the next century Queensland will show the world how to decarbonise and we will power global economies with home-grown clean energy, mining and manufacturing."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy Mick de Brenni:
"Queenslanders should be proud that we are establishing ourselves as the nation's best practice state for the rollout of renewable energy projects.
"We need to set the standard because Queensland's public ownership gives us an extra layer of accountability to our workers, communities, and the environment, in addition to energy security and affordability for households and businesses.
"Today's release of the Local Energy Partnerships initiative creates the platform that enables genuine and ongoing engagement on benefit sharing and community leadership, as we navigate the Queensland decarbonisation pathway."
