July 11, 2017
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell will be speaking about the important role energy industries play in the South Burnett’s economy at an inaugural National Energy Summit in Toowoomba on Thursday.
The summit has been organised by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise to address the “trilemma” faced by Australian governments: how to generate energy in ways that are reliable, affordable and sustainable.
It will be addressed by a range of industry experts and political leaders including Prof Paul Simshauser, the Director-General of the Department of Energy and Water Supply; Federal Resources Minister Senator Matthew Canavan; Queensland Energy Minister Mark Bailey; and representatives from AGL, New Hope Group and Australia Pacific LNG, amongst others.
Mayor Campbell has been invited to be part of a local government panel discussion along with Western Downs Regional Council Deputy Mayor Andrew Smith, and Paroo Shire Council Mayor Lindsay Godfrey.
“The South Burnett currently epitomises this debate of reliable, affordable and sustainable energy,” Mayor Campbell said.
“Tarong Power Station and Meandu Mine have both had a long and positive economic effect in the South Burnett.”
Mayor Campbell said a 2016 economic impact study into Stanwell’s South Burnett operation showed:
- An estimated total economic impact of over $180 million per annum
- Over 1500 (direct and indirect) FTE employment positions
- An estimated direct contribution to Gross Regional Product (GRP) of over $46 million per annum
- An estimated total value added impact of over $86 million per annum, representing a contribution of over 5 per cent to the GRP for the South Burnett local government area
The Mayor said AGL’s recently approved Coopers Gap Wind Farm would help to diversify the region’s energy assets in the future.
“What I hope our example can show is the vital role regional Queensland can play in securing a clean energy future for Queensland and Australia.”
Mayor Campbell will be accompanied to the summit by Planning portfolio chair Cr Terry Fleishfresser.
