Community Renewables Forum thrives in Roma
Shared community benefits and solutions to address challenges between renewable energy host landholders and surrounding neighbours were hot topics at the third Queensland Community Renewables Forum (QCRF) in Roma on Tuesday.
More than 100 farmers, landholders, business owners, and community members from across the Maranoa came together in the Roma Bungil Cultural Centre to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by large-scale renewable energy development in the region.
Community members quizzed developers, agriculture and industry representatives on a range of issues, from the decommissioning of wind turbines to the impacts and potential benefits associated with development on neighbouring properties.
The forum and expo provided an opportunity for open dialogue, where attendees could engage directly with developers, government representatives, and professionals from the agriculture and environmental sectors.
Maranoa Regional Council Mayor Wendy Taylor said the forum was a timely response as the sector expanded in the region.
“It’s important that Maranoa residents have the opportunity to engage early and understand how these projects may affect them,” Cr Taylor said.
“This forum provided an important opportunity for residents to be informed, ask questions and share their views early in the process.”
Queensland Renewable Energy Council chief executive Katie-Anne Mulder emphasised the importance of community-driven conversations in the early stages of new development for the region.
“The discussions today were focused on local concerns and solutions, from transmission and decommissioning to community benefit sharing and environmental impacts,” Ms Mulder said.
“After the success of our forums in Miles and Nebo last year, it was worthwhile to bring these conversations to the Maranoa, which is seeing an uptick in interest for future renewable energy development.”
Coexistence Queensland chief executive Warwick Squire said the forums provided an important opportunity for community members to access information about development in their regions.
“Bringing together the community, industry, agriculture, and government creates a valuable space to share knowledge and build long-lasting relationships,” Mr Squire said.
“It’s vital for all parties to have access to factual, reliable information as we navigate the opportunities and impacts of renewable energy development in the region.”
The next Queensland Community Renewables Forum will be held in Hughenden, Flinders Shire Council, on Friday, 30 May.
Community members are encouraged to register their interest for future events at queenslandrenewables.org.au.
The forum was delivered by the Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) and Coexistence Queensland, supported by the Queensland Government and Maranoa Regional Council.
