Qld Labor state conference: $500m renewables cash splash

The state government’s major energy announcement was undermined by a group of residents furious their homes will be resumed to make way for a pumped hydro facility.

The state government will inject half a billion dollars to build a suite of wind and solar projects in Central Queensland – its largest energy generation investment since unveiling its ambitious renewables target.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement at the Labor state conference in Mackay on Saturday, where a group of protesters gathered to condemn the potential resumption of their homes for the construction of a pumped hydro facility.

The $500 million is part of the government’s $62 billion commitment to shift Queensland’s energy reliance from coal-fired stations to renewable generation by 2035.

Ms Palaszczuk said the money will be injected into the government-owned CleanCo to generate up to 2.3GW of power through wind and solar projects.

“We will maintain majority ownership of our power assets as we transition to 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032,” she told the conference.

The Premier also revealed the clean energy transition plan will be legislated to put the renewable energy target of 80 per cent by 2035 into law – which will force the Opposition to reveal its position when presented to parliament.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addresses the Labor state conference in Mackay on Saturday. Picture: Michaela Harlow

The commitment to build projects in Central Queensland was met with adoring applause by the party faithful but, outside, residents from the western Pioneer Valley were furious with the decision to potentially resume their homes to make way for a pumped hydro energy storage facility.

Doug Cannon from Eungella, nearly 100km west of Mackay, said construction of the facility risks destroying platypus habitats.

He said the action group supported a shift to renewable energy generation but stressed the project risked tainting pristine land which he described as a “big back step for the environment”.

“It‘s not the renewables answer that we’re looking for as a country or a state,” Mr Cannon told The Courier-Mail.

“To save the environment, to save our country and the world, we don’t have to destroy it.

“It sounds counterintuitive to destroy one of the most pristine environments to somehow save the environment.”

But Energy Minister Mick de Brenni insists the region of Eungella and its platypus population will not be impacted by the project, which he said was kilometres away and 700 metres underground.

“But what we will continue to do is meet with and talk with local residents who are concerned about their future,” he said.

Tony Wall and Doug Cannon protest conference. Picture: Michaela Harlow

“It is understandable that if you need to leave your home to make way for infrastructure projects, whether it‘s a road, a railway or energy infrastructure like this, there will be some anxiety.

“We‘ll treat all of those residents with a great degree of empathy (and) there, of course, will be a very adequate compensation framework.

“Many of those residents are working through that process right now with our government, including some that have already reached a settlement.”

The Premier also revealed the upcoming state budget will include more than $16 million to support women working in male-dominated industries.

It includes a women in trade apprenticeship mentoring program and a future women jobs academy program.

“For Queensland women and girls to experience genuine economic equality, we must break down social and economic barriers,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This investment is a commitment from our government that we will keep doing just that.

“Because when women and girls are included and participating in the workforce, Queensland’s economy will truly thrive.”