Sustainability and economic opportunities discussed at 3R Australia Forum

Experts from across Australia have gathered in Townsville for the Rebalancing Regional and Remote Australia Forum, discussing solutions for creating a more sustainable Queensland, featuring presentations from industry experts.

Professor David Phelps, TNQ Drought Hub Director and Professor Alberto Troccoli, Managing Director of the World Energy and Meteorology Council at the 3R Forum.ÊPicture: Shae Beplate

The Rebalancing Regional and Remote Australia Forum was held in Townsville on Wednesday, aiming at investigating more opportunities for sustainability in Queensland and northern Australia.

The panel was presented by the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences, James Cook University and the Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.

TNQ Drought Hub Director Professor David Phelps said the event explores ways to invest renewable energy into the community.

“Today we’re exploring some of the big ideas around what could be the future of northern Queensland,” Professor Phelps said.

“[We’re looking at] opportunities for green hydrogen production, opportunities around solar and wind farms and how they can contribute to our regional communities and our agricultural production systems.”

Professor David Phelps, TNQ Drought Hub Director and Professor Alberto Troccoli, Managing Director of the World Energy and Meteorology Council at the 3R Forum.Picture: Shae Beplate

“We have the opportunity to go beyond net-zero, using these advantages to create even greater economic and sustainability gains.”

Professor Phelps said the event discusses issues surrounding climate, climate change and regional communities.

The event also featured Managing Director of the World Energy and Meteorology Council Alberto Troccoli, who presented the ‘Rebalancing Rural and Regional Australia’ plan.

Professor Troccoli said the plan is a way of starting the conversation surrounding sustainability in regional and rural locations

“[It’s about] bringing communities from different walks of life, from science, research, industry. The Indigenous communities are essential in this conversation,” Professor Troccoli said.

Australia is one of the world’s drier countries, receiving an annual rainfall of 473.70mm in 2023, 500mm less than the world average of 990mm.

Professor Phelps said drought is a huge risk for Australia moving into the future, particularly those living in agricultural dependent communities.

“We need to really help bring other opportunities to underpin the economy so that it’s not all dependent on rainfall, it’s not all impacted by drought,” Professor Phelps said.

Professor Troccoli said the plan will outline ways Australia can work to become more sustainable.

“There are ways to store more water, but there’s also a great opportunity coming from desalination,” Professor Troccoli said.

“Desalination is taking water normally from the ocean or the sea, which has a high salt content, and through processes of osmosis, you can use that water for many other purposes.”

Originally published as Sustainability and economic opportunities discussed at 3R Australia Forum