Energy sparks next Regional Forum tomorrow in Toowoomba

Capturing the benefits of Queensland’s renewable energy through a big battery blitz will be on the agenda tomorrow in Toowoomba, at the third Darling Downs-South West Queensland 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.

“Darling Downs-South West Queensland 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.”

Regional workforce skilling and training will also be discussed in Toowoomba 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 Darling Downs-South West Queensland 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.”

Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing Grace Grace, Minister for Agricultural Industry and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner and Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 Lance MacCallum will join Darling Downs-South West forum members in Toowoomba.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard will again chair the forum.

Tomorrow’s forum will begin with a site visit of the Kleinton Battery Project, hosted by  Energy Queensland Limited.

Ms Howard said the forum agenda also included presentations on Path to Treaty.

“The second-round forum discussions centred around economic and social infrastructure development, liveability and digital connectivity, expanding education and training opportunities, and reconciliation,” Ms Howard said.

“Discussions across all forum rounds have provided the foundations for the development of the Darling Downs-South West forum action plan.

“In between forums, members have been working together on some of the initiatives outlined in their action plan.

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

The Darling Downs-South West 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, North-North West Queensland, Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast 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 – Kate Talbot 0439 803 211