Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and Western Downs Regional Council (WDRC) have welcomed the launch of the Queensland Community Renewables Forum (QCRF) series as the countdown begins to the first event in Miles on 10 July.
The Western Downs community will join renewable energy developers and leading figures from the agriculture and government sectors at the free regional forum at Miles Leichhardt Centre to learn more about the challenges and opportunities of large-scale renewable energy development in the region.
The forum will feature information booths, presentations and question and answer sessions on the first day, with community members invited to register for a free tour of Dulacca Wind Farm on the second day.
One of Queensland’s agriculture peak bodies welcomed the start of the QCRF series as an opportunity for broader understanding about renewable energy development.
“The scale and pace of the renewable energy transition in Queensland is continuing to accelerate, providing both opportunities and challenges for farmers, landholders and regional communities,” QFF chief executive Jo Sheppard said.
“It is important that during this transition farmers are enabled to make informed decisions in relation to both their enterprise and their personal future plans and aspirations.
“Regional communities have the potential to benefit from the significant amount of investment proposed, however this will only be achieved through meaningful community and industry engagement and benefit sharing supported by appropriate frameworks and legislative requirements.
“Initiatives such as the QCRF series are important in providing a platform to facilitate engagement, information sharing and to assist farmers and regional communities to have input into, and learn more about, what the renewable transition might mean for the future of their enterprise and their community.”
WDRC Mayor Andrew Smith said the renewable energy industry was an important pillar of the region’s strong and diverse economy.
“As the sector continues to grow and innovate, so too does the Western Downs,” Cr Smith said.
“The Queensland Community Renewables Forum in Miles is an incredibly important opportunity to bring key stakeholders together in one place to share information, build relationships and collaborate on the future of both the energy sector and our region.
“When landholders, communities, government and the energy industry work together the potential benefits are enormous, which is why it’s so critical that locals are empowered to ask questions, seek guidance and have a voice through events such as this one.
“Council is proud to support this first-of-its-kind community forum right in the heart of the energy capital of Queensland, the Western Downs.”
Queensland Community Renewables Forums are a partnership between the Queensland Government, Queensland renewable energy peak body Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC), the independent statutory body Coexistence Queensland (formerly GasFields Commission Queensland) and Queensland Farmers Federation.
Community members are encouraged to register for the Miles event and the Dulacca Wind Farm visit at queenslandrenewables.org.au.
KEY FACTS
| Wednesday, 10 July | Thursday, 11 July |
| · Expo: 8am-5pm | · Dulacca Wind Farm visit |
| · Presentations: 10am-2pm | · 8am-11.30am |
| · Light refreshments and BBQ lunch | · Morning tea provided |
| · Free attendance, registration preferred | · Free attendance, registration required |
| · Miles Leichhardt Centre, 29 Dawson Street, Miles | · Spots limited |
For more information please contact:
Georgina Robinson +61 409 565 612, [email protected]
