Local Energy Partnerships

Through the Local Energy Partnerships framework, we are partnering with industry, local councils and peak bodies in regional Queensland so that:

local voices and choices are shaping how the renewable energy transformation takes place
local benefits of renewable energy development are flowing to regional communities and local businesses.

For a progress update of actions under Local Energy Partnerships and the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, read the Community Partnerships and Enabling Frameworks (May 2024).

This framework was a result of community feedback on Queensland's energy transformation.

Peak Body Energy Partnerships

Peak Body Energy Partnerships are mutually beneficial agreements between the Queensland Government and peak body groups for:

agriculture
communities
the environment
First Nations peoples.

They seek to achieve positive, shared outcomes for all Queenslanders and our economy that will generate and enhance social support for our renewable energy transformation.

Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) partnership

We are investing $220,000 to support the QCC in identifying programs that deliver significant environmental benefits.

The QCC represents more than 50 community environment groups across the state and has worked to protect and sustain Queensland's environment since 1969.

Over 12 months they will develop a framework to identify how to improve environmental outcomes for 2 proposed pumped hydro storage projects. This will include extensive consultation with key stakeholders.

Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) partnership

To help farmers make better-informed business decisions, we are partnering with QFF to establish the Energy Information Service for Landholders.

This is a phone service that will:

provide farmers with tailored energy-related information and guidance
equip farmers with the knowledge to navigate the challenges of the energy transformation successfully
realise benefits to their business in participating in renewable energy generation projects.

Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit

The Queensland Renewable Energy Landholders Toolkit is now available to support landholders considering hosting a renewable energy project on their property.

Developed in partnership with Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF), the Toolkit is an easy-to-understand free guide for landholders to assist in the decision-making process.

The Toolkit contains essential information to help assess potential benefits and risks associated with on-farm renewable developments.

The Toolkit contains:

Detailed checklists to use throughout the developer negotiation process
Practical guidance for each stage of a renewable energy project development
Insights from legal and financial professionals, government bodies and landholders who have undertaken these processes themselves
Information on benefit sharing, community engagement and social license considerations
Extensive resources

Farming and renewable energy coexisting

Agriculture is at the centre of Melinee Leather’s life, but the challenges of climate change are always present for her and her family cattle business. That’s made the decision to co-locate solar equipment alongside her cattle operation an easy one. Learn more about Melinee and other Queenslanders benefiting from the energy transformation.

This resource offers the agricultural sector a tool to help negotiate for mutually beneficial land sharing agreements, and allows landholders to make confident, informed decisions regarding their land usage.

Energy Industry Partnerships

Energy Industry Partnerships have been set up to guide better practice in the renewable energy sector and improve industry engagement with communities. We have invested $3 million in grants for energy partnerships across the state. These grants have been awarded to:

Smart Energy Council
Clean Energy Council
Queensland Renewable Energy Council.

The grants will help to provide more opportunities for regional Queensland communities to directly benefit from renewable energy solutions.

Smart Energy Council partnership

We are partnering with the Smart Energy Council to deliver a large-scale solar panel recycling pilot in 5 locations in metro and regional Queensland. This will provide drop-off sites so panels can be distributed to resource recovery, reuse and recycling facilities.

The partnership will also establish a Commercial and Industrial Solar Consultative Committee that brings together manufacturers, project developers and owners, recyclers, researchers and representatives from all levels of government. The committee’s work will inform best practice in the sector, with a uniquely Queensland perspective.

Clean Energy Council partnership

We are supporting Clean Energy Council (CEC) to deliver regional careers fairs in 2024 to showcase local job opportunities in our clean energy economy.

As part of this partnership, CEC will also:

develop and promote clean energy stories showing real life jobs in regional communities
deliver industry training on social licence to support the delivery of energy infrastructure projects in renewable energy zones.

Queensland Renewable Energy Council partnership

We are funding the Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) to help guide better industry practice, understand local needs and support communities to benefit from the energy transformation.

As part of this partnership QREC will:

develop industry resources to help with assessments and approvals for renewable energy projects
deliver the Landholder Support Project to investigate the benefits of hosting renewable energy projects alongside existing farming operations
support industry with regional engagement in renewable energy zones.

Local Council Energy Partnerships

The Local Council Energy Partnership program will help local governments get the most out of renewable energy projects in their regions.

Under the program, funding will be provided to:

boost Councils’ ability to engage and work on energy matters, helping them navigate the challenges of our energy transformation
help local councils that access energy from the east coast National Electricity Market to understand how to get greater benefits for their communities when negotiating power purchase agreements for renewable energy
continue work with remote and isolated communities, Traditional Owners and Councils to develop the Remote and First Nations Clean Energy Strategy.

Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) partnership

We are partnering with LGAQ to equip Queensland’s local councils and Regional Organisation of Councils in most need with the tools and skills to benefit from the energy transformation.

Through this partnership, LGAQ will:

deliver a series of projects aimed at enhancing councils’ capacity to coordinate and engage with their communities on energy matters
equip councils with the required resources to manage the increase in renewable energy development applications driven by the Queensland Energy and Jobs plan.
investigate renewable energy opportunities in their regions.

Read more about our partnership with LGAQ.

Last updated:: 3 September 2024