Towards a greener, clean energy future

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today that the Bligh Government’s 2008-09 State Budget would help Queensland lead the way to a cleaner, greener energy future.

Minister Wilson said the $144.4 million Mines and Energy Budget would help deliver a better deal for Queenslanders.

“The Bligh Government is tackling climate change head on. We’re securing Queensland’s future with energy conservation, renewable energy and clean coal technology,” Mr Wilson said.

“A further $16.1 million has been set aside in the 2008-09 State Budget for the completion of a feasibility study for the ZeroGen project near Rockhampton. This brings the State Government’s contribution to the project to $102.5 million.

“ZeroGen could become the first in the world to capture carbon and convert coal to hydrogen gas to generate power,” he said.

The 2008-09 State Budget will also deliver energy conservation strategies to address climate change.

“Queensland businesses will share in $12 million from our Smart Energy Savings Fund, part of $50 million over five years.

“We want businesses to invest in energy saving projects and save money. We’re putting our money on the table to help them.

“Some projects may be big, some small, but together they will have the potential to save thousands of tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

$2.3 million will be injected into a Climate Smart Homes Rebate Program to help remote communities.

“This could involve replacing inefficient hot water systems, installing energy-efficient lighting, replacing damaged fridge seals – all sorts of measures that will help households and businesses save energy and save money,” he said.

“$20 million will also be spent on the Queensland Renewable Energy Fund, which offers financial incentives to help fuel Queensland into the 21^st century.

“We want clever companies to come forward with their ideas so that we can help turn their vision into reality,” Mr Wilson said.

“Ideally we’d like to see projects with the potential for wide-scale commercial application that can boost supply to the electricity grid,” Mr Wilson said.

Major news for miners

Mr Wilson said $11.2 million for the Smart Mining – Future Prosperity Program would continue to stimulate exploration investment in Queensland.

“Today’s exploration will yield tomorrow’s mines and tomorrow’s jobs,” he said.

“$3.7 million will go towards our Smart Exploration program which will produce high-tech data, maps and surveys to help explorers discover the mines of the future.

Minister Wilson said capital funds of $3 million and $2.6 million in operational funding would be spent on the rehabilitation of abandoned mine sites at Mount Morgan in Central Queensland and Croydon in the north west.

“While we enjoy the benefits of the resources boom, we should not turn our back on those old mines that helped forge our strong economy,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson said the Bligh Government’s 2008-09 State Budget would also formalise the state’s commitment to residents of Collingwood Park near Ipswich.

“$10 million has been set aside to help residents whose homes were damaged by mine subsidence,” he said.

“$1.8 million will be used to bring on extra mines inspectors and an investigator to boost the Mines Inspectorate.

“Extra funding for more health and safety services will be raised by a levy from all coal and metalliferous mines, and quarries in Queensland.

“The extra services will help meet the health and safety needs of the booming resources sector,” he said.

”Queensland has one of the best mine safety records in the world and the best mines safety legislation in Australian. It’s in everyone’s best interests to keep it that way,” he said.

Media Inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819