Energy sparks next Regional Forum tomorrow in Bargara

Published Sunday, 25 September, 2022 at 12:00 PM

Premier and Minister for the Olympics
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Capturing the benefits of Queensland’s renewable energy through a big battery blitz will be on the agenda tomorrow in Bargara, at the third Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum for 2022.

Leading up to this week’s major energy announcement, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the forum would discuss ideas on sustainably powering the state into the future.

“With regional Queensland already playing a big role in solar energy, large-scale batteries can capture the cheap and clean energy generated by Queenslanders, and best use it to drive down power bills and ease the cost of living,” the Premier said.

“Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast forum members get to be part of this, helping to unlock investment in good clean energy jobs, better services, and helping to protect our great lifestyle in regional Queensland.

“During this third round of forums for 2022, forum members will visit sites that will help support further regional investment, and drive future energy security.”

Workforce solutions will also be discussed in Bargara tomorrow.

“Regional Forums are about strengthening our Government’s partnership with regional Queensland and a greater opportunity to influence government decision-making,” the Premier said.

“Forum action plans which address the social and economic priorities of the Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast region will be tabled tomorrow.

“I thank forum members for all the work they’ve been doing between forums and for the valuable contribution I know they’ll provide during this third round of forums tomorrow.”

Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman and Minister for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard will join Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast forum members in Bargara.

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari will chair the forum.

Tomorrow’s forum will begin with a tour of the Bargara Battery Project at the Bargara Substation, hosted Energy Queensland Limited.

Presentations during the forum will inform discussions around regional workforce opportunities in the Wide Bay Burnett-Fraser Coast.

Mr Tantari said the last forum discussions had centred around liveability and workforce solutions, housing and accommodation, and Path to Treaty.

“Discussions across all forum rounds have provided the foundations for the development of the Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser forum action plan,” Mr Tantari said.

“Over the past two months forum members have been working to finesse the plan.

“It’s been a productive time for forum members who have been initiating some exciting projects outlined in their forum action plan.

“The third forum for 2022 will allow working groups to provide an update on the progress to bring their plan to life in partnership with the Queensland Government.”

The Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across Queensland tomorrow, with others taking place in Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Far North Queensland, Central Queensland, Darling Downs-South West, North-North West Queensland and Western Queensland.

The Regional Community Forums are part of the Queensland Government’s Advancing Queensland’s Regions strategy, supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.

For more information: Advancing Queensland’s Regions

ENDS

Media contact – Phoenix Campbell 0439 949 719