Isaac Regional Council acknowledges the Koinjmal, Widi, Birriah, Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala, Jangga, Barada Barna, Western Kangoulu and Wirdi Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters throughout the Isaac region and their enduring cultural connection to country and community.
We pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging for they hold the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
OUR REGION
We service 17 unique communities They are modern, mining, historical, coastal and rural towns
22,426
11,140 non-permanent population*
Our population is Council supports a population of 33,566, the majority of whom work and choose to live within the region, enjoying its benefits.
The mining industry, specifically coal mining, is a key driver of the Isaac region’s economy.
Our region generated an estimated $13.1 billion value added.
Mining is the largest industry employer generating 13,071 jobs in the mining sector. permanent residents
A WORD FROM OUR MAYOR
MAYOR KELLY VEA VEA IS ONE OF THE LEADING VOICES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS
The communities we serve, represent, and advocate for are relying on us, as the most accessible level of government, to guide them through transitional changes and help reshape our communities.
This is pushing local governments to their limits, compelling us to extend our operations beyond the conventional realms of roads, rates, and rubbish.
Our responsibilities as community leaders have evolved significantly and it’s crucial that we assist each of our communities, recognising that they each have their distinct set of needs and challenges.
Whether it’s the repercussions of mine closures, industry downturns, or shifting community needs, our objective is to ensure a prosperous future for everyone.
This October, we are relying on your support so that LGAQ can guarantee that the State and Federal Governments contribute their part in enhancing the social sustainability and future economies of all Queensland communities.
MAYOR KELLY VEA VEA
Isaac Regional Council 0437 018 184 kelly.veavea@isaac.qld.gov.au
OUR LGAQ MOTIONS SNAPSHOT
OUR COAL MINES AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORT THEM DELIVER BILLIONS IN ROYALTIES AND TAXES TO QUEENSLAND’S BUDGET
FUNDED POSITIONS IN COUNCILS IMPACTED BY LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENTS LIKE RENEWABLE AND RESOURCE PROJECTS
The LGAQ calls on the State and Federal Government to fund positions in councils to manage the impact of large renewable, critical minerals, mining and energy projects.
PRIORITISE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES IN EXISTING AND DECOMMISSIONED MINES
The LGAQ calls on the State Government to undertake a comprehensive investigation, develop policy, remove impediments in legislation and invest in the repurposing of new and existing mines for energy production and storage. Including pumped hydro energy storage (PHES), Gas, Underground and Gravity Energy Storage (UGES) systems and other energy production.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION ON THE NET ZERO ECONOMY AGENCY
The LGAQ calls on the Federal Government to appoint Local Government to the Net Zero Economy Agency board.
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FUNDED POSITIONS IN COUNCILS IMPACTED
LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENTS LIKE RENEWABLE
The LGAQ calls on the State and Federal Government to fund positions in councils to manage the impact of large renewable, critical minerals, mining and energy projects.
BACKGROUND
Local councils are at the heart of managing the impacts of large renewable, critical minerals, and mining projects.
These projects are key for regional growth and a sustainable economy but bring significant challenges which strain local government resources.
For instance, Isaac Regional Council is handling major projects like the Olive Downs, Carmichael Mine and Byerwen Mine.
As Queensland and Australia strive for Net Zero, develop new decarbonisation strategies, explore critical minerals and develop new energy projects, the role of local government becomes increasingly crucial.
This demand for local government to facilitate State and National priorities puts additional pressure on already strained councils.
Many councils dealing with these projects have to dedicate resources to specifically manage community engagement, development assessments, project compliance, enforcement of state project conditions and legal breaches.
While many local governments understand the importance of decarbonisation and their pivotal role in the energy transformation, there is a clear need for specialised resources dedicated to supporting these efforts.
To avoid the shifting of costs to local government there needs to be funding allocated by State and Federal governments for roles to manage the impacts of largescale developments.
This would ensure councils have the necessary expertise to manage the workload and complexities of renewable, critical minerals, and mining projects.
This support would enable smoother project implementation, better community engagement, and progress toward the energy transformation and Net Zero goals.
These are vital for our economy but require extensive oversight, compliance, and community engagement, putting immense pressure on council.
The complexity of these projects often goes beyond the expertise available within local councils, causing inefficiencies and delays.
We need specialised support to manage these projects effectively and sustainably.
Creating dedicated positions within councils or a specialised state department would provide the necessary expertise.
This support would help local governments handle the workload, ensure compliance, and engage with stakeholders more effectively.
It would also allow councils to focus on community development and essential services.
By funding these positions or creating a specialised department, the State Government can significantly boost local councils’ capacity to manage these projects.
This will promote sustainable regional development and support the well-being of our communities.
AND RESOURCE PROJECTS
STUDY/EXAMPLE
CASE
Isaac Regional Council (IRC) has been significantly impacted by the Carmichael Mine project, one of Australia’s largest and most controversial coal mines.
This project, spearheaded by Adani Group, has presented both opportunities and challenges for the region, highlighting the need for specialised support from the State Government.
BACKGROUND
The Carmichael Mine, located in the Galilee Basin, promises to deliver significant economic benefits, including job creation and increased regional investment. However, the scale of the project has placed unprecedented demands on the IRC.
Managing environmental approvals, community consultations, infrastructure development, and ongoing compliance monitoring has stretched the council’s limited resources
CHALLENGES
Financial Strain: The financial burden on IRC has been substantial. The need to upgrade local infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, to support the mine’s operations has required significant investment.
Additionally, the council has faced increased costs associated with regulatory compliance and environmental management.
Resource Allocation: The Carmichael project has required extensive time and effort from council staff, diverting attention from other critical local issues. The lack of dedicated resources to handle the project’s demands has led to delays and inefficiencies.
Community Impact: The project has polarised the local community, necessitating careful management of stakeholder relations. Balancing the economic benefits with environmental and social concerns has been a delicate task for the IRC.
NEED FOR STATE SUPPORT
The Carmichael Mine case underscores the need for the State Government to fund dedicated positions within councils. Such support would provide the local government with the expertise and resources needed to manage the project’s complexities effectively.
Benefits of Support
With additional state-funded positions, Local Government could:
• Achieve better outcomes for communities.
• Enhance project management and regulatory compliance.
• Improve community engagement and address stakeholder concerns more effectively.
• Ensure sustainable development practices are upheld.
PRIORITISE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES IN
EXISTING AND DECOMMISSIONED MINES
The LGAQ calls on the State Government to undertake a comprehensive investigation, develop policy, remove impediments in legislation and invest in the repurposing of new and existing mines for energy production and storage. Including pumped hydro energy storage (PHES), Gas, Underground and Gravity Energy Storage (UGES) systems and other energy production.
There are three desired outcomes from this motion:
Feasibility Studies
That the State Government conduct state-wide assessments to identify suitable existing and decommissioned mine sites for PHES, Gas, UGES and other energy production opportunities.
Policy Development
Create regulatory frameworks, review and amend legislation to remove impediments to the repurposing of existing and decommissioned mines into energy storage and production facilities.
Investment
Allocate funding for projects and infrastructure development to support the conversion process and diversification of existing and decommissioned mines.
BACKGROUND
Across Queensland there are a significant number of existing and decommissioned mines that have capacity to support energy storage and production.
Current State Government policies and legislation require mines to be progressively rehabilitated and returned to their pre mining state with infrastructure removed.
Additionally current net zero and critical mineral policies ignore opportunities to harness naturally occurring methane, blue hydrogen and other Coal Seam Gas to support the nation’s energy demands.
These policies deprive Queensland communities of secondary benefits associated with large scale projects and are counterintuitive to the clean energy efforts of the state and nation.
Instead of investing billions in new gas plants, renewable energy storage facilities and energy generators, the government could diversify the existing mining industry to achieve their net zero targets.
Many of the active and decommissioned mines have critical infrastructure including water and transmission lines that would provide cost efficiencies by significantly reducing construction costs for new energy projects and minimise environmental impacts.
By repurposing and value adding to mines across Queensland, the State Government would be providing a cost-effective, sustainable, long-term energy storage solution that supports the push for renewable energy whilst also helping the mining sector to achieve decarbonised operations.
By working with local government to progress this motion the State Government would significantly improve progress towards state renewable energy targets and provide a social and economic revitalisation for Queensland’s resource regions.
CASE STUDY/EXAMPLE
A recent example of Queensland repurposing a mine site for renewable energy storage is the Kidston Pumped Hydro Project in Far North Queensland, Australia.
This project is transforming a decommissioned gold mine into a pumped hydro energy storage facility.
It involves converting the large mining pits into reservoirs, where water is pumped between two levels to generate electricity during peak demand periods and store excess energy during low demand times.
Additionally, the Commonwealth Government “Future Gas Strategy
Analytical Report” provides insightful context and details about the Bowen Basin Gas Pipeline, highlighting its significance as a key infrastructure project. This pipeline is crucial for addressing supply imbalances
and ensuring a consistent supply of gas to meet both domestic and industrial demands, forming part of a broader strategy to secure and stabilize gas supply across key regions in Queensland.
Designed to transport gas from the resource-rich Bowen Basin to various industrial and domestic consumers, the project aims to balance the east coast gas market and address potential supply shortages projected to occur from 2028.
The Bowen Basin Gas Pipeline is poised to play a significant role in Queensland’s economic framework by bolstering the gas industry, which directly contributes to the state’s GDP.
Additionally, it aligns with the Queensland Government’s strategic objectives to ensure energy security and support the transition to a cleaner energy future.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION
ON THE NET ZERO ECONOMY AGENCY
The LGAQ calls on the Federal Government to appoint Local Government to the Net Zero Economy Agency board.
BACKGROUND
The desired outcome of this motion is to secure formal representation for local governments on the Net Zero Economy Agency.
This would ensure that the perspectives and experiences of local communities are incorporated into national policy-making, promoting more effective, equitable, and regionally sensitive solutions as Australia advances towards its net zero goals.
Local government representation on the Net Zero Economy Agency (NZEA) is crucial for effectively managing the transition to a sustainable economy.
Local governments are on the front lines of implementing decarbonisation strategies and managing the socio-economic impacts of this transition.
Their intimate knowledge of regional needs and challenges makes their input invaluable in shaping policies that directly affect their communities.
Including local government representatives on the NZEA board ensures that the unique perspectives and experiences of these communities are considered, promoting more effective and equitable solutions as Australia moves towards its net zero goals.
CASE STUDY/EXAMPLE
Glenden, a small community in the Isaac Region, exemplifies the challenges and opportunities local governments face in the transition to a net zero economy.
Established to support the Newlands coal mine, Glenden thrived as a mining town.
However, the decline in global coal demand and the shift towards renewable energy have put Glenden at a crossroads.
The anticipated closure of the Newlands coal mine by 2025 poses significant socioeconomic challenges for Glenden.
The town’s economy and employment are heavily reliant on the mine, with a substantial portion of the population employed directly or indirectly by the mining industry.
The closure threatens to result in job losses, reduced economic activity, and potential population decline, leading to broader community impacts.
Recognising these challenges, Isaac Regional Council has been proactive in seeking solutions.
Council has advocated for the inclusion of local governments in the Net Zero Economy Agency, emphasising the importance of localised transition planning.
By having a voice in the agency, local governments can ensure that communityspecific needs and insights are considered in national policy-making.
Glenden’s experience highlights the complexity and localised nuances associated with transition.
Without formal local government representation on the Net Zero Economy Agency to act as a conduit and provide critical grass roots insights, the effectiveness and policy created by the NZEA would be hamstring, resulting in significant delays in Australia’s transition to a sustainable future.
Isaac Regional Council’s 400 staff operates and maintains nine pools, 19 community facilities, 99 parks and playgrounds, 4,500km road network, 217km footpaths, eight community hubs, eight water treatment plants, six wastewater treatment plants, nine waste management facilities and hosts more than 240 events annually.
