Power for 25,000 jobs
UP to 25,000 jobs would be created in Townsville by 2030 if the city becomes a hub for renewable energy, a report by Solar Citizens finds.
The finding has prompted a call by the community group for the LNP government to match Labor’s commitment to provide $22m to support development of the Lansdown EcoIndustrial Precinct just west of the city.
In a report called Turning Townsville into a Renewable Industry and Hydrogen Powerhouse, Solar Citizens considered 10 projects across the region including Ark Energy’s proposed renewable hydrogen facility and the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct. It says most of the projects have plans to be powered by the region’s impressive solar and wind resources, adding significant new electricity demand to the area.
The report finds the projects and the renewable energy needed to power the industrial demand will create 19,600 construction jobs and 5350 ongoing jobs. “Regional Australia can capitalise on the world’s shift to a cleaner economy because we have excellent renewable energy resources and deposits of key minerals needed for technology like battery storage,” energy strategist at Solar Citizens Stephanie Gray said. “Turning cities like Townsville into renewable energy industrial precincts is one of the core ways that Australian governments can futureproof regional employment and economic prosperity.
“But if Townsville is going to become a hub for renewable hydrogen, solar panel and battery storage manufacturing then we need the state and federal governments to support enabling infrastructure.
“The core projects that governments should be investing in to realise North Queensland’s clean job potential include the Lansdown EcoIndustrial Precinct and grid infrastructure such as the Copperstring2.0 transmission project.”
Ms Gray says that the Labor Party had pledged $22m to help build the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct, while both major parties have pledged $70m to establish a renewable hydrogen hub in Townsville.
“It’s excellent to see both major political parties support a new renewable hydrogen production industry for Townsville but with two of the proposed hydrogen projects planning to operate from the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct we need to ensure that site is set up and ready to go,” Ms Gray said.
“That’s why we’re calling on the Morrison government to match Labor’s $22m commitment to Lansdown.”
WE NEED THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS TO SUPPORT ENABLING INFRASTRUCTURE STEPHANIE GRAY