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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the release of the LNP’s electricity policy, in particular, its focus on injecting more competition into the generation market.

Rapidly increasing wholesale electricity prices undercut the competitiveness of the resources sector. That hits the economy of regional Queensland.

In the last five years, resources companies have absorbed a threefold increase in the wholesale cost of electricity. In a recent QRC survey, the leaders of the state’s resources companies highlighted electricity prices as being a key concern holding back investment.

QRC is pleased to see the election campaign focus on the cost of electricity across the board.

We support more competition in dispatchable electricity generation by establishing a third generation corporation. That competition will help push down prices when large industrial contracts are negotiated for Queensland’s smelters, refineries, gas compression and at mines.

The Labor Party must also outlines a plan to cap the sharp increases in wholesale costs.

QRC also welcomes the inclusion of High-Efficiency Low-Emissions coal-fired power in the state’s future energy mix.

Queensland has access to the full range of energy sources, from coal to gas to renewables. It makes sense to apply the best technology across all of these generation types to power Queensland.

QRC CEO IAN MACFARLANE

THE Liberal National Party’s Cheaper Electricity policy states an LNP Government will “end subsidies for renewable energy”, but there are no details in the policy. This raises significant questions:

■ Will an LNP Government axe all solar feed-in tariffs for Queensland families?

■ Will an LNP Government retrospectively end solar contracts entered into by Queensland families and Queensland businesses?

■ Will an LNP Government honour contracts entered into with renewable energy companies as part of the Reverse Auction Program?

The LNP’s electricity policy could hurt hundreds of thousands of Queensland families.

Queensland is experiencing a solar boom, creating thousands of jobs and generating billions of dollars of investment.

The boom is under real threat because of the uncertainty created by the LNP policy announcement.

We call on the LNP to immediately clarify which renewable energy subsidies will be axed, when.

JOHN GRIMES, CEO AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL AND ENERGY STORAGE COUNCIL

WHY not build the new M1 extension as an elevated structure on top of the existing M1 (ie: a double decker motorway) as they do in many places around the world?

Access ramps could be constructed at strategic locations from the elevated section to ground level and existing bridges crossed over at high level.

Just a thought. GARY WORBY