With just four weeks until the federal election, we know a lot of you will be busy campaigning, researching, sharing information and having important conversations with your friends and family.

We're working hard to ensure local candidates put nature and climate up high on their policy agendas. They need to know that the long-term protection of our environment matters to voters, which is why every action counts!

What a fantastic night at the Strand Night Markets last Friday! The crowds were out in full force, and after the recent rain, people were keen to get outside and enjoy the evening.

Our energy voting board was a real head-turner, drawing in plenty of curious passersby. We had great conversations with over 40 community members, diving into the complexities of the energy transition. Renewables took the win again, but there was certainly interest in nuclear technology.

Decarbonising our energy industry is one of the most effective levers we have here in Australia to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and the faster we do this, the better. This means we need a rapid rollout of renewable energy, and THIS means the construction and installation of a lot of energy infrastructure. So where will all of these materials ultimately end up?

For a safe climate, we need a future without fossil fuels. And soon.

So, what does North Queensland's energy future look like? What opportunities and challenges can we expect in the energy transition? How do we talk about these with our friends, family and decision-makers?

Most importantly, how can locals like us leverage this crucial moment in time to build a sustainable, equitable and affordable future for all North Queenslanders?

These were the questions we aimed to answer together at the Townsville Energy Champions Training workshop earlier this month.

NQCC welcomes today's announcement by the Queensland Government that Townsville has been selected as a Local Renewable Energy Zone. Minister for Energy and Clean Energy Jobs Mick de Brenni was in Townsville today to announce an investment of $40 million, helping to reduce emissions and electricity costs for households.

Queensland Farmers’ Federation in partnership with the Queensland Government, has prepared the Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit to assist and inform landholders as they respond to and negotiate with energy industry representatives about accessing land and developing renewable energy projects.

“While Adani’s Carmichael coal mine is beset with opposition and financing problems, the contrast to the go-ahead of yet another renewable, solar power station couldn’t be clearer” said NQ Conservation’s Maree Dibella, after news of the commencement of the $126 million Kidston Solar Project was announced by the Queensland Government yesterday.

“These are just the sorts of projects that conservationists support. It’s really exciting – an unused mine site being transformed into a renewable energy production and storage powerhouse” said Ms Dibella.