NQ projects ready to go
NORTH Queensland can lead Australia’s path to net zero emissions with six key projects creating more than 9000 jobs, Townsville Enterprise says.
The peak development body has outlined the projects as the federal government is being urged to adopt a 2050 net-zero target ahead of next month’s COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-smith said the projects, ranging from the Copperstring transmission line to the Port Expansion Project, could turbocharge Australia’s transition to net zero emissions.
“All levels of government need a bold vision to truly turbocharge a national transition to net zero and it is only here in the North that will be able to deliver on this outcome,” she said. “To set this vision to reality we need investment and the investment case is compelling.
“Collaborative investment and partnering with the international finance market is the answer.
“Across the global financial market there is strong investment interest for large-scale green projects, and North Queensland can deliver this with the resources we have at our fingertips.”
Copperstring CEO and managing director Joseph O’brien said the capability of North Queensland was unrivalled.
Mr O’brien said that with the right policy proposal and investment, Australia could benefit from the most diverse minerals, mining, processing and export supply chain in the nation.
“Our clean industrial ecosystem already exists, and it can be the first net-zero industrial ecosystem in Australia,” he said.
“The Townsville to Mount Isa economic zone is already powering global renewable technologies with minerals reserves in copper and zinc, as well as wind and solar farms.
“The Copperstring network alone is forecast to deliver an aggregate increase in national income of $80bn over the period to 2050, and in collaboration with other major projects our region can advance the national pathway to net zero.”
Net-zero specialist Matt Rennie said North Queensland was in a prime position to deliver on the nation’s ambition to reach net-zero by 2050.
“The global transition toward a net-zero economy will redefine the key ingredients of economic success and will require once-in-a-generation change to occur,” he said.
“Regions with industrial capability linked to minerals and advanced manufacturing, very largescale high-quality renewable energy and water, and unconstrained land access will find themselves best able to manage and benefit from this transition.”