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Queensland Government
Department of Energy and Climate

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.

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

We are partnering with the QCC, to support them in identifying programs that deliver better environmental management during Queensland’s renewable energy transformation.

During the first stage, QCC will develop a framework to enhance environmental outcomes for pumped hydro energy storage projects and large-scale renewable energy projects. This work will include extensive consultation with key stakeholders.

The QCC will also work with environmental organisations in key regions to support them in harnessing the opportunities and benefits for the environment during the renewable energy transformation.

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

Melinee Leather

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.

Read more about our new energy grants.

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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.

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.

We are funding the Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) to:

  • help guide better industry practice
  • understand local needs
  • support communities to benefit from the energy transformation.

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.
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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.

We are partnering with BRC-A to empower councils to engage and participate in the renewable energy transformation. Through this partnership BRC-A will:

  • build local councils’ capacity to access greater benefits from the National Electricity Market
  • deliver a power purchasing agreement (PPA) education program consisting of:
    • 10 introductory workshops to local councils and local businesses across the REZ regions
    • 1 in-person, one-day intensive bootcamp designed to enable local councils and local businesses that have understood the basics of PPAs to proceed to contract via with confidence.
  • develop a ‘best practice for PPAs’ guide for councils and local businesses explaining:
    • how local councils benefit from PPAs
    • the detailed processes for local councils to enter into PPAs
    • the various benefits of the key PPA deliverables which aim to gain community support for renewable energy projects.
Last updated
27 September 2024