Queensland is leading Australia's transition to clean energy with the introduction of a ground-breaking mandatory code of conduct for renewable energy developers. This innovative initiative aims to set new standards for community acceptability and ensure that local communities are prioritised in the state's renewable energy boom.
Regional Queensland, which is expected to attract around 95% of infrastructure investment and the majority of the projected 100,000 new jobs by 2040, will be at the heart of this transformative effort.
The proposed Code, developed in partnership with stakeholders, will require renewable energy developers to engage authentically with landholders and communities at all stages of new generation and storage projects. In addition, the Queensland Government will provide $20 million in seed funding to enable communities to actively participate in and share the benefits of the transition.
Key initiatives outlined in the plan include mapping abandoned vehicles for removal, implementing food and garden organics (FOGO) collection services, closing and capping landfills and promoting equipment sharing and mobile operations across council boundaries.
With a focus on tangible community benefits such as infrastructure improvements, job creation, environmental protection and socio-economic development, the Code underlines Queensland's commitment to ensuring that the transition to renewable energy benefits all Queenslanders.
This development follows extensive feedback from industry groups and stakeholders, and is consistent with the Queensland Government's broader commitment to sustainable development.