Local Jobs Focus for Smoky Creek Solar Farm Project
The Federal Government has approved the Smoky Creek solar farm in Central Queensland. This decision not only propels Australia closer to its renewable energy goals but also offers promising employment opportunities for the local community. At least half of the jobs and procurement associated with the project will be sourced locally. This dual focus on clean energy and local employment not only promises a greener environment but also a more robust regional economy.
With an annual capacity to generate over one million megawatt hours of renewable energy, it will provide electricity to more than 200,000 households while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions by nearly one million tonnes each year. This reduction is equivalent to taking approximately 310,000 cars off the road annually.
Tanya Plibersek, Minister for the Environment and Water, stated, “Australia can be a renewable energy superpower, and projects like this help us get there. We have the right conditions, technology, and commitment to seize these opportunities, transforming our economy while safeguarding our environment.”
“Crucially, the Smoky Creek solar farm also delivers economic advantages to the local community.
The Smoky Creek solar farm is part of the Federal Labor Government’s plan to achieve 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. It signifies a departure from a decade marked by political disputes and climate change controversies that impeded progress, resulting in missed opportunities and delayed investments in renewable energy.
Plibersek underscored, “We are sending a clear message to the industry that the era of stalling and denial regarding the potential of renewables is firmly behind us.”
The Smoky Creek solar farm’s approval followed a rigorous assessment under Australia’s environmental laws, incorporating stringent conditions to protect the local environment and minimise its impact on neighbouring land and waterways.
