The Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) has welcomed the inclusion of enabling infrastructure between the Port of Gladstone and Central Queensland renewable energy projects on the latest Infrastructure Priority List released by Infrastructure Australia.
The proposal has been identified as a priority in the 2–4 year investment pipeline, recognising the importance of ports, roads and freight corridors to support large-scale renewable energy development.
Infrastructure Australia has highlighted the need to ensure sufficient port capacity for wind turbine imports and to upgrade surrounding freight corridors to address constraints such as bridge mass, height and width restrictions along key highways including the Bruce, Dawson, Capricorn and Leichhardt Highways.
QREC Chief Executive Katie-Anne Mulder said the listing reflects the growing national significance of Central Queensland as a renewable energy powerhouse.
“Infrastructure Australia’s recognition of the Port of Gladstone–Central Queensland corridor highlights how critical enabling infrastructure is to unlocking the next wave of renewable energy investment,” Ms Mulder said.
“Central Queensland has some of the best wind and solar resources in Australia, and ensuring our ports, roads and freight corridors can handle the movement of turbine components and construction materials is essential to delivering these projects.”
Ms Mulder said the Queensland Government’s Energy Roadmap had also prioritised Central Queensland, including the delivery of essential network upgrades and reinforcements to maintain system security and reliability.
She noted that while the Infrastructure Priority List references the Commonwealth’s Central Queensland Renewable Energy Zone, under Queensland’s Energy Roadmap these areas are now referred to as Regional Energy Hubs, reflecting the state’s evolving planning framework for large-scale renewable development.
Ms Mulder said the renewable energy sector has consistently highlighted the importance of shared infrastructure investment that benefits industry and communities alike.
“There are shared opportunities for upgrades to supporting infrastructure such as roads and bridges that benefit the renewables sector as well as other heavy industry and the community,” she said.
QREC said the Infrastructure Priority List sends a strong signal to governments and investors that coordinated investment in logistics, freight routes and port capacity will be necessary to deliver renewable energy development across regional Queensland.
“Renewable energy projects are increasingly located in regional communities, including across Central Queensland,” Ms Mulder said.
The revised list also includes priorities such as National Electricity Market connectivity, the Bruce Highway upgrade, Port of Brisbane freight rail improvements, and several South East Queensland transport capacity projects.
“Strategic upgrades to transport and port infrastructure will support project construction, reduce impacts on local communities and ensure regional Queensland can fully capture the jobs and investment associated with the energy transition.”