Miles Forum: 10 July 2024

 More than 140 farmers, landholders and residents attended the first Queensland Community Renewables Forum (QCRF) in Miles this week. 

The first in a series of regional forums brought senior government officials and representatives from the renewable energy and agriculture sectors to the Western Downs for two days of conversation about the challenges and opportunities of large-scale renewable energy development in the region. 

Landholders visited Dulacca Wind Farm, owned by Octopus Investments Australia, spoke with renewable energy developers, and participated in a forum hosted by the Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) in partnership with independent statutory body Coexistence Queensland, the Queensland Government and Queensland Farmers Federation. 

QREC chief executive Katie-Anne Mulder said it was important to bring renewable energy developers together with government and enterprise groups for open and honest discussions. 

“It is great that everyone could come together in one place to hear about renewables in the region, what opportunities and challenges that development presents, and to start the discussion of what it’s going to mean for the region,” Ms Mulder said. 

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said the forum was a chance for the region to get on the front foot with the renewable energy industry. 

“We’re pretty mature, we’ve seen the coal seam gas industry come into our region. Our region gained some real benefits from hosting a CSG industry and I think our community wants to know where the opportunities are in regards to renewables,” Cr Smith said. 

Coexistence Queensland (formerly GasFields Commission Queensland) chief executive Warwick Squire said the quality of discussion during the forum demonstrated the region’s determination to understand what the energy transition could mean for the Western Downs. 

“You can tell there is that genuine connection across the community and a real passion for making the Western Downs a better place and I think that’s why people were here,” Mr Squire said. 

Forums will also be held in central and north Queensland over the next six months. Community members are encouraged to register their interest for these events at queenslandrenewables.org.au.