STATEMENT TELLS FULL ENERGY STORY

A new publication captures the full breadth of the Central Highlands’ resources story for the first time.

The Central Highlands Mining and Energy Capability Statement details the local coal, gas and renewables sectors, positioning the region as one of strength, capability and growth.

Produced by Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC), the 28-page document is an expanded follow-up to CHDC’s coal-focused mining factsheet from 2022.

“While this publication reinforces coal’s standing as an economic powerhouse, we’ve also taken the opportunity to shine a light on the lesser-known players in the Central Highlands’ energy sector,” CHDC CEO Peter Dowling says.

“What’s come into focus is our region now has a well-established natural gas industry and we’re also claiming our share of the renewables space.”

The publication also sets out coal’s future-proofing innovations and post-mining rehabilitation activities.

Innovation case studies include Kestrel Coal Resources’ work to convert mine waste gas into electricity – generating power, creating jobs and cutting emissions.

“The document does a great job of showing that there’s genuinely exciting and ground breaking work unfolding right here in the Central Highlands, even in what’s seen as a traditional industry like coal,” Mr Dowling says.

The Capability Statement can be downloaded from chdc.com.au and free hard copies are available at CHDC’s office.

Complementing the Central Highlands Agricultural Capability Statement, both publications are designed to inform decision makers in government, industry and investment; strengthen funding applications; guide regional planning; and support advocacy efforts.

The new publication was developed with input from the industry and data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, various government departments and REMPLAN.

Highlights of the Central Highlands’ mining and energy sector:

• It generates approximately $16 billion in annual output.

• It produces over 50 million tonnes of coal annually, about a quarter of Queensland’s total output, with 62% for steelmaking and 38% for energy production.

• It directly employs more than 6,700 people, with a broader workforce exceeding 11,000 when including contractors.

• Gas – primarily coal seam gas – generates an estimated $155 million in annual output from the region’s mainly-southern gas fields.

• Renewables include two large-scale solar farms, a battery energy storage system, and several more solar, wind and bioenergy projects in the pipeline.

• It’s supported by a robust mining equipment, technology and services (METS) ecosystem.

• It’s home to multiple brownfield extensions and new greenfield projects, signalling continued investment in coal and its long term regional capability.