Local council seeks $40 billion wind and solar windfall, despite state ripping up renewable targets

The Banana Shire Council in central Queensland is aiming to grab a significant share of an estimated $40 billion of proposed new large scale wind and solar projects, despite the recently elected LNP government deciding to rip up the state’s renewable energy targets.

Banana is located in the Callide Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and its newly released Procurement Strategy is designed to positioning itself to secure a growing share of contracts from the more than $40 billion worth of projects that have been proposed for the shire.

The Callide REZ in Central Queensland was one of 12 renewable energy zones proposed by the former Labor state government in July 2023, part of a $62 billion effort to phase out coal power and shift to 80 per cent renewables by the middle of the next decade.

A renewable energy zone roadmap laid out a framework to connect 22 gigawatts of new capacity to the grid – including between 2 GW and 2.6 GW in the Callide REZ. A community consultation process was well underway by September, incorporating feedback from more than 1,000 in-depth conversations with communities across the Shire.

As of April of this year there were 25 large-scale projects in the pipeline to be developed in the Banana Shire, spanning wind, solar, and battery storage, all of which are collectively valued at over $40 billion.

The procurement strategy was officially adopted by the Banana Shire Council at its July meeting, and mayor Nev Ferrier said this week that it demonstrates that the shire has an opportunity to benefit far beyond just hosting projects.

“This is about making sure Banana Shire gets its fair share,” said Ferrier.

“We have the skills and the people. Every local contract means more business for local suppliers, enabling them to hire more staff, who will spend their wages in local shops and strengthen our communities.”

Key findings from the procurement strategy, available to read in full here, include immediate opportunities in construction and maintenance where local firms have already proven their abilities, such as welders, builders, plant operators, and technicians.

Similarly, the report found that fabrication workshops in the shire already meet national standards, ensuring that project developers will not be disadvantaged by choosing local suppliers.

The shire also identifies longer-term growth opportunities, such as in solar frame fabrication, battery module pre-assembly, and modular substation builds, as well as recycling and advanced assembly.

The Banana Shire Council says it will now work with local industry and regional partners to implement the recommendations of the procurement strategy.

However, it may still have to overcome opposition from the state government, which has ripped up the state’s renewable energy targets, dropped emissions reduction targets, and created new laws that will likely make development approvals more difficult.