The Queensland Government’s Budget is set to deliver a $7 million investment to support the proposed establishment of the Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone (BREZ).
The new renewable energy industrial precinct will be linked to a large-scale, renewable energy project and provide manufacturing tenants with competitive low-carbon electricity.
The funding will go towards the costs of the common user infrastructure, including road access, water and sewage infrastructure to support the establishment of the BREZ precinct.
BREZ project will be developed and delivered by Sunshot Industries.
Queensland Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, said the 2023-24 State Budget will not only deliver jobs and economic opportunities right across Queensland, it will also contribute to a cleaner future.
“Barcaldine is ideally located, with solar and wind resources, and the Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone precinct will support jobs in regional Queensland,” Mr Miles said.
“Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone will help Queensland’s transition to a decarbonised future and drive renewable energy generation potential.
“This investment is hard evidence that the Queensland Government is serious about investing in new industries and making sure every inch of Queensland gets a bite at the cherry.
“Crucially, the establishment of BREZ provides an opportunity for the region to capture the economic benefit of this renewable energy resource and create employment in the region.”
The Queensland Government said that a number of tenants have already expressed interest in establishing within the proposed BREZ precinct.
This includes companies seeking to establish manufacturing facilities including a proposed ammonia, hydrogen and urea plant.
Economist Professor, Ross Garnaut, said Queensland has immense opportunities to use its rich renewable energy resources to underwrite the state’s greatest era of economic development.
“The new zero emissions industry can bring full employment and rising incomes for a growing population for as far ahead as we can see,” Mr Garnaut said.
“Sunshot Industries, an associate of ZEN Energy of which I am a director, has been working with a range of companies interested in investment in the BREZ.
“There is active interest in a number of projects of various scales and adding up to transformational development for a small inland town. The budget decision will accelerate movement from active interest to real activity on the ground.
“Barcaldine was chosen as the site for the first rural renewable energy industrial zone because of its existing energy infrastructure, access to rail and road and strong support from local and state government.
“I’m very much looking forward to watching the BREZ make its distinctive contribution to an exciting new era of development in the Sunshine state.”
