Mackay, Isaac, Whitsundays mayors reveal plans for net zero

In regions reliant on tourism, coal and agriculture, the leaders of Whitsunday, Mackay, Isaac and Rockhampton regional councils explain what net zero means for their patches.

The mayors and councillors presiding over regions encompassing the beaches to the coal pits have revealed how they are preparing for a national net zero emissions target.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said it was essential governments partnered with industry to move towards a low carbon economy with a net zero target “just one piece of this puzzle”.

“For over 100 years, we have been at the coal face supplying 53 per cent of Australia’s world class saleable MET coal,” Cr Baker said.

“There is often confusion between different types of coal and that muddies the waters.

“Often we see commentary about coal mining and setting targets without ever taking the time to talk to people on the ground.”

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker says her region wants to be involved in the conversation about reaching a net zero carbon emissions target. Picture: Damien Carty

Cr Baker said there must be a balanced and informed dialogue on climate change that did not eliminate the mining industry.

“I strongly call for real conversations to happen in our region and regions like ours that energises and powers the world,” she said.

Cr Baker said they would support a broader investigation into how regions like Isaac could become more sustainable and resilient so they could harness future opportunities and deliver positive social development outcomes.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson says council had identified actions towards a lower carbon future under its five-year Environmental Sustainability Strategy. Picture: Heidi Petith

In Mackay, Mayor Greg Williamson said the council had forward-planned actions towards lower carbon emissions under its recently revised Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2017-2022.

Cr Williamson said the strategy — aimed at improving the council’s environmental performance and partnerships with community and industry — also guided an emissions reduction plan exploring the costs and benefits of moving to net zero by 2030 or 2040.

”Specific emission reduction targets (will) be formally considered by council,” Cr Williamson said.

He said council would also focus on sustainable infrastructure and procurement policies, renewable energy power purchase agreements, more solar power and a transition to electric vehicles.

This publication contacted Whitsundays Regional Council Mayor Andrew Wilcox but he declined to comment.

Cr Wilcox is currently campaigning for the federal Dawson seat after MP George Christensen — who slammed net zero as putting more than 653,000 jobs at risk — announced his retirement.

Mr Wilcox’s campaign Facebook page shows him cheering the future of solar and hydrogen industries including developing a gas industry in the North Bowen and Galilee basins.

Whitsunday Mayor Andrew Wilcox did not respond to requests for comment on the federal government’s net zero carbon emissions by 2050 goal. Picture: Heidi Petith

Whitsunday Climate Change Innovation Hub co-ordinator Olivia Broadhurst, who commented in place of Mr Wilcox, said the council was keen on developing a cost-effective greenhouse gas reduction plan.

“The Hub acts as a think tank to gather and share knowledge with the community to build resilience in our region,” Ms Broadhurst said.

She said initiatives already under way included rolling out a kerbside recycling program, reviewing council assets, installing solar on council-owned buildings, working with CQUniversity to investigate how to optimise water treatment, installing LED lighting, introducing hybrid vehicles and reducing the size of its vehicle fleet.

Ms Broadhurst said the council wanted to learn how to create jobs from transitioning to carbon-heavy to renewable energy industries and would work closely with other governments to secure opportunities.

Rockhampton Regional Council’s water and environmental sustainability councillor Donna Kirkland said her council was currently developing an updated strategy that would outline sustainability targets up until 2030.

“Council are committed to putting sustainability into action, with our Sustainability Strategy Executive Group meeting regularly to guide the implementation of this revitalised document,” she said.

“To date we are extremely proud of milestones from towards our zero waste targets: working towards building a circular economy in waste we have delivered the diversion of 34,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste for reprocessing and reuse; diversion of over 4,500 tonnes of domestic recyclables via kerbside collections; worked to develop local markets to achieve 100 per cent crushed glass reuse and reuse of 100 per cent green waste.”

The council’s 2020-21 sustainability strategy includes its intention to transition towards renewable energy by beginning the construction of more than 2500KW of solar systems at council facilities, as well as its goal of positioning Rockhampton as a “renewable energy hub” to take advantage of the economic opportunities afforded by renewable power.

It also aims to foster sustainability by participating in various Central Queensland groups, such as the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health, and through school programs across the region.