A plan for Queensland’s future – Energy Roadmap delivered to improve existing assets while building for the future: Janetzki
The Crisafulli Government has unveiled its Energy Roadmap to deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for Queenslanders. By improving Queensland’s existing energy assets while building what is needed for the future, the Crisafulli Government is putting downward pressure on energy prices, optimising investment to respect taxpayer money and boosting private sector investment in new generation.
Comprehensive renewables mapping elicits contrasting responses
Rainforest Reserves Australia (RRA) has released a detailed and interactive Australian Renewable Energy map, created by conservationist Steven Nowakowski in collaboration with RRA, which it says "reveals the true scale of industrial renewable energy projects across the nation". It has elicited unsurprisingly contrasting responses from Labor and The Nationals.
The Road to Ruin is down Highway 2035
The ink is barely dry on Canberra’s new 2035 carbon targets, and the climate catastrophists are already eyeing 2050, the holy grail when net zero will finally be achieved. Out in the Wheatbelt, most farmers shrug. Another distant date, another government promise, most have tuned out with the view that what I can’t see does not hurt me — a bit like the GRDC levy that nicks 1 per cent of farm-gate revenue. But let’s be clear ...
VFF statement: In response to reports of some farmers receiving access notices from Transmission Company Victoria for their land as part of the VNI...
"We’ve consistently told TCV they must take a people-first approach and genuinely engage in a meaningful manner.” “Handing landholders a letter saying they will compulsory access their property to do land surveys flanked by a lawyer is completely tone-deaf and will only further add to mounting opposition to this project.”
Industrial renewables laid bare
The Pyramid Hill was a hive of activity on Sunday as community members from Loddon and Gannawarra Shires gathered to discuss industrial renewable developments openly. The meeting hosted by Loddon Valley Renewables Awareness Group provided an open community forum, something that is avoided at all costs for transmission line and renewable developments, as one speaker framed it, "divide and conquer" is the standard modus operandi.
Timber Towns Victoria welcomes funding
"This funding initiative is an exciting new opportunity for the forestry sector," according to Cr Karen Stephens, president of Timber Towns Victoria and Mayor of Glenelg Shire Council, "ultimately using the whole of the tree and turning what would have been wasted wood fibre into a valuable low-carbon resource for use in other industries."
Buronga substation hailed as one of most sophisticated in Southern Hemisphere
Transgrid says it has unveiled one of the biggest and most sophisticated substations in the Southern Hemisphere, with the completion of the Buronga substation. The completion occurred as powerlines from the new powerline from Buronga to Wagga Wagga were strung across the Cobb Highway between Hay and Deniliquin ...
Queensland leads the charge with Australia’s first vanadium battery supply chain: Bates, Last
...Using vanadium sourced from Julia Creek, the Townsville facility will anchor a pit-to-port product manufacturing chain, supplying vanadium flow batteries for global energy storage markets. The project is expected to support nearly 600 jobs across North and North West Queensland, with early works scheduled for 2026 and operations to commence in early 2028.
Historic off-grid solar system powers NSW mine site in Australian first
A groundbreaking 26-megawatt hybrid renewable energy system has begun full operations at a New South Wales mine site, marking the first time an off-grid solar and battery system has powered a mining operation in the state.
VicGrid Bill passes, but fails rural communities: VFF
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has expressed deep disappointment at the passing of the VicGrid Bill through the Legislative Council, warning it grants sweeping powers to the government while doing little to protect farmers and regional communities.
VFF slams VicGrid power play
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has written to state MPs to vote down the contentious VicGrid Amendment Bill that would pave the way for police-backed powers to force entry onto farms and slap landholders with fines of up to $12,100. VFF President Brett Hosking is reiterating previous calls to halt the Bill ahead of it being debated in State Parliament this Thursday.
Making the most of our offshore energy potential: Bowen
The Albanese Government is supporting the emerging offshore renewable industry to develop new technology and unlock the sector’s full potential. Today we are releasing new guidance to help developers, researchers, scientists and other interested parties apply for Research and Demonstration licences in declared offshore zones, establishing a home for offshore renewables research, as well as commercial generation projects.
The real productivity roundtable – Labor productivity summit ignores energy elephants in the room: Canavan, Holland
Queensland Senator Matt Canavan and Page Research Centre CEO Gerard Holland have announced today a REAL productivity summit to take place in Canberra alongside the Labor Government’s fake productivity summit.
Reaction to unexpected REZ’s expansion: Council’s deep disappointment
Buloke Shire Council has expressed deep disappointment with the State Government's handling of a major expansion to Victoria's REZs, which now push significantly into Buloke communities. The major extension of the Grampians-Wimmera REZ now extends into Buloke's west near Curyo and Wilkur and the NW REZ has shifted closer to the north-east of Charlton.
WestWind Energy welcomes Victorian Transmission Plan
Victoria's premier wind farm developer, WestWind Energy, welcomes the Victorian State Government's commitment to the renewable energy transition with the release of the Victorian Transmission Plan. WestWind's Managing Director, Tobi Geiger, says "Today's announcement by VicGrid follows months, if not years, of meaningful engagement and considering feedback from many stakeholders.
2025 Victorian Transmission Plan released
VicGrid recently released a long-term strategic plan for the development of Victoria’s renewable energy zones designed to deliver certainty and fairness for communities and industry and keep the lights on as coal-fired power closes down.
Wind farm impacts: a forester finds common ground with environmentalists
Foresters and environmentalists in Australia may not have seen eye to eye of late, but on the subject of forest clearances for large scale renewable energy developments, there are increasing instances where their objections to the consequential impact on the forest make them de facto allies.
Powering communities as batteries switch on: Bowen, Koutsantonis
South Australia is powering up, with more than 50 new community batteries being switched on, helping more Australians get solar power into their homes and businesses. The new batteries are being rolled out across Adelaide and regional South Australia, backed by the Albanese Government through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Massive wind farm gets green light despite local opposition
A 1,300-megawatt wind farm between Hay and Deniliquin has been approved by planning authorities, promising to power more than half a million homes ... The Pottinger Wind Farm, stretching across farmland 60 kilometres south of Hay, will be one of Australia's largest wind energy projects when completed. But the decision hasn't come without controversy – more than 50 public objections forced the project to independent assessment rather than departmental approval.
Dispelling the ‘forever chemical’ fables: What’s really in Australia’s renewables?
In an era where climate action is a oft-discussed topic, and given Hay and Balranald's geographical location in the South West Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), fears over 'forever chemicals' persist. Among the more prevalent claims circulating is the fear that wind turbines and solar panels extensively use Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – the so-called "forever chemicals" – posing significant environmental and health risks.
Transmission meetings disappoint Council
Buloke Shire Council ... Council accepted the invitation in good faith, based on TCV’s indication that an important update on the project would be shared. However, during the meeting, Council was advised that no announcement would, in fact, be made. Instead, the meeting was re-framed by TCV as an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with Council and improve consultation processes. Council expressed its disappointment ... Council was not informed of this amendment during Minister D’Ambrosio’s visit, despite its relevance and impact on affected landowners, some of which were present and engaged in the discussion held.
Australia’s largest transmission project moves into next phase
Australia's largest energy transmission project, EnergyConnect, has moved into its next phase with specialist teams making significant progress constructing the eastern alignment of the project across the Riverina. More than 1600 personnel are working on the critical project, with construction of two sections of new high-voltage transmission line, stretching 540 km from Buronga to Wagga Wagga, more than 70 per cent complete.
