Sustainable industries at new hub

NQ to be renewable leader

TOWNSVILLE is fast becoming a renewable energy powerhouse with a plan in place to build a new sustainable development.

The Queensland government is working towards developing the industrial land in Bohle Plains for a renewable energy project, which has been earmarked for a potential 235ha solar farm.

This will be the first time Economic Development Queensland, a government agency that delivers property development and provides specialist land use planning, will develop suitable land for renewable energy infrastructure.

While EDQ has proposed that a solar farm would be ideal for the land, the project is structured in such a way that it could later be transformed back into industrial space.

The proposed project at Bohle Plains is currently being reviewed against the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said the government was proposing a precinct to be developed in 2022 following a comprehensive expressions of interest process.

“The expression of interest process would identify interested renewable energy developments that could be based on the site,” Mr Miles said.

The North Queensland Regional Plan identified this area as suitable for new renewable energy developments.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the city had the potential to be the renewable energy powerhouse of Northern Australia.

“As a city and region that receives more than 300 days of sunshine every year, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of new energies such as solar and hydrogen,” Cr Hill said.

“The private sector has shown that it is willing to invest.”

If approved, Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said it would help the state reach its target of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030. “A precinct like this would encourage more investors in renewable manufacturing to come to Townsville,” Mr Harper said.

Mundingburra MP and hydrogen champion Les Walker said the government had committed to creating more jobs in more industries.

“In Townsville we are working with Sun Metals as they move to operate their refinery on 100 per cent renewable energy by 2040 and use hydrogen trucking fleets,” Mr Walker said.

Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the government was committed to working with industry.

“Just last month the Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub at Lansdown Eco Industrial Precinct was declared a prescribed project, and the Port of Townsville and Ark Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding that could mean renewable hydrogen is exported to South Korea from North Queensland,” Mr Stewart said.