Local economic opportunities network
The local economic opportunities network (LEO network) assists regional councils, industry and communities with information on decarbonisation and the economic opportunities associated with a decarbonised economy.
The LEO network is part of the State Development Regional Office Network and works with key stakeholders to identify, collect and discuss local opportunities and distribute information on government programs and services.
The LEO network is part of the Queensland new-industry development strategy which aims to support investment in clean energy technology and help communities take advantage of the economic opportunities available in Queensland.
Queensland’s opportunity
Queensland is in a unique position to capitalise on opportunities from the shift towards decarbonisation. Companies, investors and governments are investing in clean-energy technology to reduce carbon emissions and decarbonise their operations.
The global energy transformation has increased demand for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and lower emissions fuels for transport.
Decarbonisation support
There are programs and initiatives available to help Queensland local governments, business and industry reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Business sustainability and energy efficiency
- Small business energy incentive provides 20% tax deduction for the cost of eligible assets and improvements that support more efficient use of energy.
- Business Basics Grants Program provides small businesses with up to $7,500 to support increasing core skills and adopt best practice. Closes 11 October 2024.
- ecoBiz assists small to medium sized businesses develop an action plan to improve their resource efficiency and environmental sustainability and reduce operational costs.
- ESG self-assessment tool helps businesses to understand their current environmental, social and governance (ESG) position, providing a summary report with suggested next steps.
- Climate Change Risk Management Tool for Small Businesses contains information on climate change, the related risks, and checklists to assess these risks.
- Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) provides benefits for households and small businesses to help with purchase costs of small-scale renewable energy system (solar, wind or hydro) or eligible hot water system.
- Emissions Reduction Fund earn Australian carbon credit units for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent stored or avoided through adopting new practices and technologies.
- Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme offers landholders, communities and businesses the opportunity to run projects that avoid the release of greenhouse gas emissions or remove and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
- Becoming an environmentally friendly business guide outlines the benefits and process for ensuring your business is environmentally friendly, including opportunities to reduce waste and tips for saving energy and lowering energy costs.
Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant Program Round 2 provides up to $50,000 for Queensland-based manufacturers to improve energy efficiency measures and technology, reduce energy usage, costs and emissions.
- Innovate to Grow free 8-week self-paced and virtually delivered program for small to medium sized businesses working on innovative manufacturing technologies or solutions, including energy storage and battery technology. Closes 13 October 2024.
- Communicating Your ESG Commitment one-day masterclass supports the development of an ESG statement and communication strategy including understanding compliance requirements.
- Manufacturing Sustainability Benchmarking Program helps manufacturers understand their sustainability progress with an online benchmark assessment. The report provides detailed results and recommended actions for improvement.
- Design in Manufacturing Program aims to raise businesses' awareness of the importance of circular-design in manufacturing, building capability, reducing waste and lowering costs.
Resource recovery and recycling
- Recycling and Jobs Fund aims to support large-scale recycling projects that can demonstrate a clear improvement in one or more stages of the recycling process and result in a material impact on the diversion of waste materials from landfill.
- Circular by Design seminar provides the principles of circularity which aim to support increases in business financial revenue and improvement in environmental and social footprints.
Transport
- Driving the Nation Program the Innovation in Charging focus area is currently open, supporting innovation in public charging and management of charging.
Agriculture
- Agrifutures Australia RD&E Investment provides funding for organisations to help conduct research that will improve the sustainability and profitability of new and established rural industries, including applications for the Australian truffle industry five-year program of research.
- Farm Management Grants offer primary producers a 50% rebate on the cost of eligible professional advice to produce a Farm Business Resilience Plan for their property.
- Support Plantation Establishment Program Round 3 is anticipated to open soon, which aims to support the establishment of new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantation forests in Australia and assist the sector in responding to the projected growth in demand for domestically sourced timber resources.
- Drought Preparedness Grants Program assists primary producers to undertake on-farm capital improvements to improve drought preparedness.
- Sustainability Loan provides loans for primary producers and commercial fishers to help them improve their productivity and sustainability.
- Get Your Business CN30 Ready outlines how meat operators can take action towards carbon neutrality.
- Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit assists landholders reflect on the various potential benefits and risks associated with on-farm renewable development, as they respond to and negotiate with energy industry representatives about accessing land and developing renewable energy projects.
- Energy savings ideas for agricultural businesses guide provides energy savings advice and tips to reduce energy use and save costs.
Tourism
- Manage sustainability in tourism provides steps to guide tourism operators on how to be more sustainable.
- Tourism Business Digital Adaption Program provides a rebate of up to $2,500 and free support to improve industry businesses’ digital capabilities.
Digital
- Digital Solutions Program helps small businesses to adapt and flourish through the adoption of digital business tools that can improve productivity, effectiveness, and aid business growth.
- Cyber security online resources are available addressing information security management and the new edition of ISO 27001, the internationally used system for keeping businesses cyber secure.
Clean energy projects and technological developments
- Battery Breakthrough Initiative aims to promote the development of battery manufacturing capabilities in Australia. Register your interest now to receive updates on when this program will open.
- Industry Growth Program and Advisory Service supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas including renewables and low emissions technologies.
- National Reconstruction Fund provides debt finance, equity finance and guarantees for businesses with compelling proposals in priority areas including renewables and low emissions technologies.
- National Industrial Transformation Program will support the reduction of scope 1 and scope 2 emissions at existing or planned industrial facilities across Australia, including support for technological/commercial readiness of renewable energy/energy efficiency/electrification technologies; upskilling of industrial workforce in new decarbonised activities; technology demonstration, collaboration and knowledge sharing across industry and regions.
- Powering the Regions Industrial Transformation Stream round 1 support for the following focus areas: supporting the decarbonisation of process heat used in industrial processes; and off-road transport decarbonisation.
- Solar Sunshot will provide funding to build Australia’s solar photovoltaic manufacturing capabilities, supporting innovative manufacturing facilities in Australia across the solar supply chain (program is in design phase). Register for consultation and to receive updates on the program.
- Hydrogen Headstart Round 2 will support large-scale renewable hydrogen production projects. Form to register interest is now available.
- Low Emissions Investment Partnerships will support the reduction of emissions from Safeguard Mechanism facilities in the metallurgical coal sector, which has a critical role in producing steel for the renewable technologies to decarbonise the state.
- Regional Microgrids Program supports the development and deployment of microgrid technologies across regional and remote communities in Australia.
- Advancing Renewables Program supports development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects including opportunities to optimise the transition to renewable electricity, commercialise clean hydrogen and support the transition to low emissions metals.
- Research and Development Tax Incentive helps companies innovate and grow by offsetting some of the costs of eligible research and development.
- Product Stewardship for Oil Program provides financial benefit for businesses that recycle oil or use recycled oil in their operations.
- Guarantee of Origin scheme is currently open for consultation. The proposed scheme would provide a mechanism to track and verify emissions associated with hydrogen and other products made in Australia; and provide an enduring mechanism for renewable electricity certification which could support a variety of renewable energy claims.
Disaster relief
- Small Business Exceptional Assistance Grant Program provides financial support to small businesses in defined disaster areas that experienced significant disruptions and losses during the defined period, to re-establish operations and maintain employment. Closes 31 October 2024.
Local government
- Regional Waste Management Plan Coordination Program supports the implementation of the regional waste management plans developed for multiple regions across Queensland through the engagement of a coordinator.
- Snapshot Climate tool provides greenhouse gas emissions profiles for Australian councils (local government areas), regions, federal electorates, states and territories which are free to download.
Regional precincts
- Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program offers grants to deliver infrastructure projects within regional precincts in partnership with local stakeholders to benefit regional communities, with intended outcomes including, but not limited to, transitioning to a net zero economy or supporting Australia’s emission reduction goals.
Critical minerals and resources
- Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund supports businesses across the critical minerals supply chain, from mining stage to the development of processing facilities and/or infrastructure.
- Collaborative Development Program supports economy-aligned opportunities to recover and accelerate the development of Queensland’s critical minerals sector.
- Queensland Critical Minerals Prospectus offers insights into investment ready projects at various stages; and the Critical Minerals Investor Hub is an interactive platform for exploring opportunities, connecting with companies, and streamlining the investment journey.
International partnerships and trade-exposed facilities
- Go-Green Co-Innovation Program Round 2 will provide grants from $150,000 to $500,000 to facilitate collaboration between Australian SMEs and Singapore businesses in jointly undertaking projects that drive the decarbonisation of economic activities or help Australia or Singapore to transition to net zero emissions. Closes 14 November 2024.
- Powering the Regions Fund - Safeguard Transformation Stream Round 1 provides up to $50 million to trade exposed facilities to reduce their emissions and contribute to meeting Australia’s emissions reduction targets. Closes 1 November 2024.
Queensland Government initiatives and resources
Search government initiatives and strategies helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Contact the LEO network
Get in touch with your LEO network team member at the State Development regional offices to learn about the economic opportunities available to you and how decarbonisation may benefit your organisation.
- Visit or call one of our regional offices
- Email LEO@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au
Frequently Asked Questions
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The LEO network can:
- be a key point of contact within government for renewable energy, decarbonisation and other regional opportunities
- ensure regional stakeholders are kept informed on current government programs, policies and other initiatives
- provide a mechanism to engage with the regions on key issues and coordinate potential whole of government support
- facilitate communication between local stakeholders, agencies and all tiers of government
- identify resources, policy changes and regulatory frameworks required to seize opportunities and manage risks
- identify major projects and diversification opportunities and provide investment facilitation and local supply chain support
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Decarbonisation is the process of significantly reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. This includes the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from energy production, and from other activities undertaken by communities, businesses and households.
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Historically, Queensland has relied on carbon-based industries, such as coal mining and coal-fired power stations as a source of electricity generation, employment and trade. Queensland’s economy is now shifting to diversify our energy mix and meet the challenges presented by climate related impacts.
Decarbonisation is a global economic force and capturing the associated opportunities presents a new wave of economic growth for the state. Queensland’s expertise in mining, and rich, natural resources which are essential to developing a global low-emissions economy, have driven considerable investment interest. Increased global demand for critical minerals, hydrogen exports and biofuels production can be leveraged to grow regional economies.
The Queensland Government, through the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, has committed to attaining 70% renewable energy by 2032 and 80% by 2035. As of November 2022, 22.7% of Queensland’s energy was produced from renewable energy sources. This means that there is considerable potential for Queensland further invest in renewable energy projects to decarbonise the state. Read more information about Queensland’s renewable energy target.
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The LEO network is part of existing departmental delivery for regional offices and not subject to additional resources or discrete funding arrangements.
It will improve whole of government coordination and information dissemination relating to industry and regional development. In addition, the increased engagement on decarbonisation is expected to leverage increased economic prosperity for communities.
Further resources
- Mandatory climate-related financial disclosures
Provides information about the Australian climate disclosure standards requirements for disclosure reporting of an entity’s climate-related financial risks and opportunities, plans and strategies. - Queensland new-industry opportunities
Download the Regional Transformation Strategies which support regional communities with economic diversification and decarbonisation. - Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF)
REFF is helping Queensland regions seize industry development opportunities presented by global decarbonisation. - Clean Energy Finance Corporation
An Australian Government statutory authority formed to facilitate increased flows of finance into the clean energy sector. - Queensland Decarbonisation Hub
Brings together research experts, government, industry, and communities to help meet the state’s climate targets to boost renewable energy sources and achieve net zero. - Coexistence Queensland
Aims to improve the sustainable coexistence between landholders, regional communities, the resources industry and the renewable energy industry. - Queensland Renewable Energy Council
Aims to support industry, communities and government to deliver a thriving new energy sector for Queensland. - Energy Efficiency Council - tax incentives guide
Outlines tax incentives available to Australian businesses that can be leveraged to improve energy performance. - Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
Supports improvements in the competitiveness and supply of renewable energy and the uptake of energy efficiency and electrification through financial assistance and knowledge sharing. - Climate action resources for business and industry
Provides climate action support for businesses and industry. - Clean Economy Pathway
Information on meeting emissions reductions and renewable energy targets - Glossary of terms ( 216.4 KB)
Decarbonisation stories in Queensland
Read about the work already underway on our news page.
Last updated: 26 Sep 2024