A section of a wind farm showing seven wind turbines in the Atherton Tablelands in Tropical North Queensland Australia

A series of Queensland community renewable energy forums will kick off in Miles next week, with more to regional events to follow.

The Queensland Community Renewables Forums are a partnership between the Queensland Government, Queensland renewable energy peak body Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC), the independent statutory body Coexistence Queensland (formerly GasFields Commission Queensland) and Queensland Farmers Federation.

The first of the series will be held in Miles next Wednesday, July 10, and will provide information booths, presentations and question and answer sessions on the first day, with community members invited to register for a free tour of Dulacca Wind Farm on the second day.

Queensland Farmers’ Federation chief executive Jo Sheppard said that with the scale and pace of the renewable energy transition in Queensland continuing to accelerate, it was important farmers are enabled to make informed decisions in relation to both their enterprise and their personal future plans and aspirations.

“Regional communities have the potential to benefit from the significant amount of investment proposed, however this will only be achieved through meaningful community and industry engagement and benefit sharing supported by appropriate frameworks and legislative requirements,” she said.

“Initiatives such as the QCRF series are important in providing a platform to facilitate engagement, information sharing and to assist farmers and regional communities to have input into, and learn more about, what the renewable transition might mean for the future of their enterprise and their community.”

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Andrew Smith said the Miles forum is an important opportunity to bring key stakeholders together in one place to share information, build relationships and collaborate on the future of both the energy sector and our region.

“When landholders, communities, government and the energy industry work together the potential benefits are enormous, which is why it’s so critical that locals are empowered to ask questions, seek guidance and have a voice through events such as this one.”

Community members wishing to attend are encouraged to register for the Miles event and the Dulacca Wind Farm visit at queenslandrenewables.org.au.

DETAILS

Expo

• Wednesday 10 July

• 8am-5pm

• Presentations: 10am-2pm

• Light refreshments and BBQ lunch

• Free attendance, registration preferred

• Miles Leichhardt Centre, 29 Dawson Street, Miles

Dulacca Wind Farm visit

• Thursday, 11 July

• 8am-11.30am

• Morning tea provided

• Free attendance, registration required

• Spots limited