Proserpine Powers Up for Energy Information Forum

The Queensland Community Energy Forum in Proserpine drew a strong crowd last week, with around 130 residents, landholders, Traditional Owners, industry representatives and government officials coming together for an open and constructive conversation about the region’s energy and resources future.

Hosted by Coexistence Queensland in partnership with the Whitsunday Regional Council, Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC), and the Queensland Resources Council, the forum focused on practical and locally relevant information, highlighting the importance of landholder, neighbour and broader community engagement as part of project developments.

Mayor Ry Collins said the strong turnout reflects the community’s desire for clarity and meaningful input.

“The Whitsunday Region has a diverse mix of industries and a strong history of being a resources and energy producer,” Mayor Collins said.

“The conversations at the forum emphasised the importance of putting local voices at the centre of the conversation for new resources and energy development.

“It is vital that the community has access to clear, practical information and a genuine opportunity to ask questions and raise issues directly with industry and government.

“This forum brought those voices together in one room and was a critical component of the ongoing conversation around resources and energy projects in this region, ensuring developments deliver a lasting legacy for the community.”

Warwick Squire, CEO, Coexistence Queensland said that a strong focus on community engagement, open conversations, and collaborative partnerships was essential.

“The energy and resources conversation is important for many Queensland communities and a consistent message is that benefits and impacts of development need to be understood and managed appropriately,” Mr Squire said.

“The Queensland Community Energy Forum provided a place to bring everyone together to have those conversations.”

The forum brought together QREC members, including Powerlink Queensland, Alinta Energy, and GHD, to engage directly with community members and local businesses on proposed developments across the Whitsundays energy project pipeline.

A topic on the top of some attendees’ minds was a divisive Alinta proposal that seeks approval of 30 wind turbines near Proserpine.

CANEGROWERS reported growers were attending with questions surrounding the proposal. Proserpine Chairman for the company, Glenn Clarke, said while growers understood the need for renewable energy, they wanted to ensure their concerns were properly heard before any determination on planning approval.

“This isn’t about opposing renewable energy,” Mr Clarke said.

“But when a project of this scale is proposed in the middle of a productive farming district, growers have every right to understand what it means for their operations and their future.

“Construction traffic, access to haulage routes, aerial spraying, fire risk and the movement of large machinery are all real operational issues for farmers, and they need to be carefully worked through.”

The Proserpine Forum has indeed played an integral part in hosting crucial dialogue, as conversation continues to unfold surrounding energy development and innovation in and around our region.

CAPTIONS:

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1 - Jana Dore, Policy Director, External Affairs, Queensland Resources Council, Katie-Anne Mulder, CEO, Queensland Renewable Energy Council, Cr Ry Collins, Mayor, Whitsunday Regional Council, Warwick Squire, CEO, Coexistence Queensland, Glenn Clarke, Chair, Canegrowers Proserpine, and Stephanie McKechnie, Energy Engagement and Education Advisor, Queensland Farmers’ Federation.
2 – Discussion sessions highlighted the importance of landholder, neighbour and broader community engagement as part of project developments.
3-6 – 130 members of the community attended the forum on March 20th.

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