Locals flock to Nebo community renewables forum in Isaac region
Farmers, landholders and business owners turned out in force for the Queensland Community Renewables Forum (QCRF) in Nebo, south-west of Mackay, on Thursday 28 November.
More than 120 people descended on the Nebo Memorial Hall for a day of conversation and sharing about the challenges and opportunities of large-scale renewable energy development in the Isaac and surrounding regions.
Landholders and locals came together with renewable energy developers and representatives from the agriculture, government and environmental sectors in the highly-anticipated follow up event to the first QCRF on the Western Downs earlier this year.
Community members had the chance to talk one-on-one with developers and participated in a forum hosted by the Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) in partnership with Isaac Regional Council, independent statutory body Coexistence Queensland and the Queensland Government.
QREC chief executive Katie-Anne Mulder said it was heartening to see the community embrace the opportunity to have open and honest discussions about the opportunities and challenges of large-scale energy development in the Isaac region.
“People wanted to understand how they and their communities could tap into the opportunities presented by the energy transition,” Ms Mulder said. “They were asking about infrastructure, jobs and environmental impacts. After the success of our forum in Miles, it was great to be able to facilitate these discussions in a different part of regional Queensland.”
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said it was important to bring together all of the region’s stakeholders for a collaborative discussion.
“The Isaac region is unique. We’re about 58,000 square kilometres and we are also the largest mining region in Queensland, generating about 70 per cent of Queensland’s steel-making coal,” Cr Vea Vea said.
“What we’ve learned as well is that we nearly have as many renewables projects on our books as we do mining projects, and we are also home to the second largest (cattle) herd in Queensland, so we have all of these intersecting industries and it’s important that we work out the rules of the game so we can work together.
“The success of a forum like this really puts everyone at the community’s fingertips.”
Coexistence Queensland chief executive Warwick Squire said the forum was a genuine partnership effort.
“It’s all about connecting community, industry, agriculture, business and local and state government all in one room,” Mr Squire said.
“It’s a great opportunity to build and maintain lasting relationships, and serves as a platform for reliable and factual information about what opportunities and impacts are facing the Isaac region.
Further forums will be held across Queensland in 2025. Community members are encouraged to register their interest for these events at queenslandrenewables.org.au.
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