19 May 2023: Queensland Announces Vital Strategy to Decarbonise Industry
Solar Citizens today celebrates the announcement of the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy as a key piece of the puzzle to create prosperous, future-proof regional economies.
The new strategy underlines the State Government’s commitment to decarbonising Queensland’s industry, and unveils plans to develop a new Local Economic Opportunities Network (LEO) to work with communities around Queensland to identify opportunities for economic diversification.
“The strategy announced today is vital for Queensland to capitalise on our unique advantages to repower existing industry and establish new manufacturing industries that can create good, regional jobs long into the future,” said Stephanie Gray, Deputy Director of Solar Citizens.
“Right across the globe we’re seeing governments and businesses pivoting towards a zero-carbon future, so to maintain a strong economy we have to adapt and utilise our significant renewable energy advantage.
“At Solar Citizens we’ve been campaigning for years now for the state and federal governments to support regional clean manufacturing hubs and today’s announcement is a key step towards establishing those across regional Queensland.
“Places like Townsville and Gladstone are perfectly placed to capitalise on the world’s shift to a clean economy by producing and exporting clean materials and renewable hydrogen.
“Today’s strategy comes after a number of commitments from the Queensland Government to support new clean industries and transition our energy system. It’s now time for the Australian Government to step up their commitments and put more funding on the table for Queensland clean industry development.
“In the federal budget we saw the Government make a great start, particularly with the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart program, but to compete with international initiatives like the US Inflation Reduction Act we need to turbo-charge our ambition.”
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Media contact: Stephanie Gray 0425543006