Coal provides thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to the Central Queensland economy, so the union representing the industry is calling on the State Government to establish a statutory authority to oversee the transformation of the sector.
The âWorkers Future Authorityâ, as the CFMEU has dubbed it, would be independent of government departments to manage industry transformation and workers transitioning to alternate employment.
With the transition to renewable energy, the CFMEU said the âWorkers Future Authorityâ would identify and attract new industries to impacted regions and would identify areas for skills development, training, and government investment.
Central Queensland has both solar and wind farms established and proposed, plus Gladstone has been identified as a hydrogen hub, on the back of its port, infrastructure, the Gladstone Hydrogen Ecosystem and Hydrogen Park Gladstone initiatives.
Premium Content
Subscriber only
Reforms to the National Electricity Market are being encouraged by the Queensland Government to future proof the state’s energy supply and crucially, its significant CQ-based workforce.
The calls from the Palaszczuk Government come after the Energy Security Board chair, Dr Kerry Schott, said the influx of renewable energy and the retirement of coal fired power generation must be factored into a redesigned market.
Coal fired power stations at Gladstone, Biloela and Stanwell employ thousands and provide a positive contribution to the region’s economy, but Dr Schott warned it was impossible to overstate the rapid developments in the sector.
Premium Content
Subscriber only
The role critical minerals like H-Hydrogen will play in lowering world carbon emissions was front and centre this week at the Queensland Exploration Council renewable energy technologies showcase.
With Queensland’s huge potential to provide the critical and rare earth minerals needed to manufacture smart phones, solar panels and electric cars, Queensland Exploration Council chair Kim Wainwright said it was an exciting time to be in the exploration sector.
The showcase, Ms Wainwright said, illustrated the role critical minerals would play in lowering world carbon emissions through renewable energy technologies. Chief Executive Ian MacFarlane at the Queensland Resources Council Annual Lunch at Royal International Convention Centre, Bowen Hills, Friday, November 27, 2020 – Picture: Richard Walker
On Wednesday, April 28, the Gladstone Ports Corporation Board of Directors issued a statement about the CEO appointment.
When Mr Walker acted in the role in 2020 he was paid $585,000 per year, after receiving a payrise of $131,000 over his 2019 wage.
âThe Board of Directors for Gladstone Ports Corporation is pleased to announce that Mr Colin Cassidy PSM will commence as Interim Chief Executive Officer on the 4th of May 2021, while the Board undertakes the global recruitment search for the permanent position of CEO,â the statement said.
âMr Cassidy is a former public sector senior executive with almost 40 years of leadership experience across a diverse range of disciplines at state, regional and local government levels.
Renewables critical in Queensland Resources Council showcase gladstoneobserver.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gladstoneobserver.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.