Hydro and coal will power NQ, says Katter

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY and a coal-fired power station are the future of North Queensland’s power supply, KAP leader Robbie Katter says.

The Traeger MP said that despite the state government splashing cash on Greensfriendly “renewable energy zones”, the way forward was clear.

He said while he was pleased Labor had discovered renewables in the North, there was already a renewable energy solution associated with Hells Gates Dam, which would also droughtproof the entire state.

He said if realised to its full potential, Hells Gates Dam (also known as the revised Bradfield Scheme), could produce enough power to service the entire Townsville region.

This, coupled with a local and reliable coal-fired power station, would ensure the North had control over its electricity supply.

Mr Katter’s comments follow the state government announcing it would invest $145m in renewable energy corridors.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the corridors would help unlock future potential in the North West Minerals Province.

The Premier said the renewable energy zones would support Powerlink to invest further funding and Cleanco to increase its publicly owned renewable generation capacity.

“I don’t want to just deliver renewable energy zones — I want to deliver industrial zones and hydrogen hubs — because that means more secure full-time manufacturing jobs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Mr Katter said it was disappointing that Labor was looking for ways to make the North’s power supply palatable to inner-city voters by throwing taxpayer money at vague renewables projects that would never be able to guarantee large-scale supply.

“In what is a ridiculous state of affairs, at the moment North Queensland is held to ransom by Brisbane because they provide a $700m subsidy for the cost to transfer power from Gladstone,” Mr Katter said.

“We don’t generate any of our supply up here and I’m afraid a few renewables projects won’t be able change that.

“We need bigger picture thinking and here we are offering it to the Premier on a silver platter.

“In the future North Queensland cannot be held to ransom by subsidies from Brisbane.”

Mr Katter said both hydroelectricity and coal power, which if delivered correctly could be entirely carbon-neutral, were key to the North’s future electricity supply.