GW3 Launches Pioneering Decarbonisation Project

The Greater Whitsunday region is forging a new path with the launch of the Decarbonisation Accelerated project.

The Decarbonisation Accelerated project is taking a regional economic approach to encourage businesses and industries to start their decarbonisation journey.

Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) chief executive officer Ms Kylie Porter said the Decarbonisation Accelerated project is one of the first of its kind in Australia, where a whole-of-region approach to decarbonisation is being taken.

“Our region is focused on seizing the opportunities that global decarbonisation brings.

“All current evidence indicates that while the metallurgical coal industry will remain strong for many decades, we still need to decarbonise our industries at the same time.

“The purpose of Decarbonisation Accelerated is to secure the future viability of our traditional sectors, by supporting businesses on the pathway to decarbonisation, while at the same time, creating opportunities in emerging sectors which have decarbonised principles.”

Ms Porter said some of those new emerging sectors include renewable energy, critical minerals, biomanufacturing and aerospace.

“Our vision is by 2025, is the Greater Whitsunday region, through reducing carbon output, will have continued

to diversify its economic base to ensure long-term economic prosperity,” she said.

Ms Porter said decarbonisation is essential in ensuring the Greater Whitsunday economy and its population can continue to attract investment and participate in global supply chains.

“We want our region to be recognised as a global hub of leading decarbonisation practices,” she said.

The Decarbonisation Accelerated project is a partnership between Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE), along with major funding partner the Local Buying Foundation (LBF).

Resources Centre of Excellence (RCOE) Mr Steven Boxall said the initial focus of Decarbonisation Accelerated will be the METS sector and their critical role in supporting the coal sector decarbonise.

“The METS sector also stand to gain new options from the diversification opportunities that will come from

decarbonisation.”

Mr Boxall said our region has a major role in achieving a new direction with mining companies working hard to

decarbonise their operations.

“Mining companies are changing their business models and what they do around decarbonisation,” he said. “When you think about it, the path to decarbonisation impacts the entire Australian resources sector.

“This is not something that’s going to slow us down, but instead, speed us up. And we have a major role to play, not just locally, not just nationally, but globally, in achieving the path to decarbonisation. Without our region, a lot of this can’t happen.

“The win for us is at a community level, by securing the economy of our region and the jobs of the future. It’s a big challenge but it’s a great opportunity for Greater Whitsunday,” Mr Boxall said.

The Decarbonisation Accelerated project will officially launch on Friday October 6 at the Resource Centre of

Excellence with special guest speaker BMA Head of Supply, Jessica Simpson.

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Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) chief executive officer Ms Kylie Porter. Photo credit: Coffee & Hops

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