Queensland Farmers’ Federation surveyed a number residents of Aboriginal Shire Councils during our market research into decentralised energy projects in Regional Queensland, the Localised Energy in the Regions project in 2022 and 2023 The market gathered feedback from regional farms, businesses and local authority employees.

The project was initiated to help rural and remote communities to understand options to diversify and grow opportunities in their area, leading to improved access to reliable and affordable energy.

A number of key questions emerging from the research are similar to those of farms and include:

1. How can people in social housing benefit from the clean energy transition?
2. Can clean energy help solve energy reliability problems in a way that aligns with First Nations cultural and community priorities?
3. What community owned energy options could First Nations communities benefit from in regional Queensland?
4. How can First Nations communities build local expertise in clean energy?

Changes to unlock better opportunities first nations to participate in the clean energy transition are very similar to those of farming:

• Energy literacy campaigns connecting the energy transition to cultural, community and social benefits
• Capacity support to allow First Nations organisations and communities to dedicate time to better understand clean energy opportunities
• Clear information about costs and regulatory pathways for community energy projects
• Education about the opportunities and challenges of developing CERs
• Energy efficiency in social housing

Download the full Final Report

Download the Projects Key Findings Summary

Download the Energy Needs of First Nations Communities in Regional Queensland

The project was funded by Energy Consumers Australia and delivered with our project partners University of Southern Queensland and Chalk & Behrendt Lawyers.

Read more about the Localised Energy in the Regions project including the Consumer owned energy resources map at the QFF website here: https://www.qff.org.au/projects/localised-energy-in-regions/

Energy Information Service for Landholders

For help with energy matters and updates, contact The Energy Information Service for Landholders, a free phone service for farmers and landholders in Queensland.

The service is available Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 5pm and can assist by providing information and guidance on a range of energy matters.

Call 07 3329 7500 to access the service today.

“This project was funded by Energy Consumers Australia (www.energyconsumersaustralia.com.au) as part of its grants process for consumer advocacy projects and research projects for the benefit of consumers of electricity and natural gas. The views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the views of Energy Consumers Australia.”