Local economic opportunities network
The local economic opportunities network (LEO network) assists regional councils and communities with decarbonisation and the economic opportunities associated with a decarbonised economy.
The LEO network will work 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. QNIDS was established 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
- Queensland Business Energy Savings Transformation Program provides 50% rebate of up to $12,500 to eligible small and medium-sized Queensland businesses to purchase and install eligible energy-efficient equipment, smart technology, and energy management systems.
- ecoBiz assists small to medium sized businesses develop an action plan to improve their resource efficiency and environmental sustainability and reduce operational costs.
- 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.
Transport
- Driving the Nation Program provides benefits for innovation in charging related technologies for new zero emissions vehicles.
- Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme provides rebates for eligible new Zero Emission Vehicles purchased from 16 March 2022.
Manufacturing
- Net Zero Workshops for Manufacturers half-day workshop provides an overview of the benefits of sustainable manufacturing, reviews the steps in determining a company’s carbon footprint and assists attendees develop a high level net zero action plan.
- Net Zero Training for Leaders in Manufacturing one-day masterclass provides leaders with knowledge to drive innovation, create a sustainable journey of transformation and reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint.
- 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.
- Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant Program supports manufacturers to increase energy efficiency measures and technology, reduce energy usage and costs, reduce emissions and increase awareness of energy use with matched funding grants of $5,000 to $25,000.
Agriculture
- Climate-Smart Agriculture Program supports best practice sustainable agriculture and natural resource management activities including Partnerships and Innovation Grants, Capacity Building Grants, Small Grants, Soil Capacity Building Grants and other support.
- Support Plantation Establishment Program supports the establishment of new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantation forests in Australia and assists 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.
Tourism
- Manage sustainability in tourism provides steps to guide tourism operators on how to be more sustainable.
Clean Energy Projects and Technological Developments
- 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.
- 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.
- Business Research and Innovation Initiative provides small to medium sized enterprises with funding to develop innovative solutions to: increasing energy efficiency of commercial fishing operations; or powering safe drinking water for Australian First Nations remote communities; or alternative packaging for premium Australian wine.
- 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.
- Product Stewardship for Oil Program provides financial benefit for businesses that recycle oil or use recycled oil in their operations.
Local Government
- Community Energy Upgrades Fund will co-fund energy efficiency and electrification upgrades for local governments to deliver reduced energy bills and emissions from local government owned and/or operated facilities.
- 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.
International Partnerships & Trade Exposed Facilities
- 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.
- Austria Industrial Decarbonisation Demonstration Partnerships Program provides funding for joint Australian and Austrian projects that seek development of decarbonisation technologies for hard-to-abate energy-intensive industries.
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 to learn about the economic opportunities available to you and how decarbonisation can 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 facilitation 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.
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A Transformation Working Group will be established to facilitate discussions and collaboration between the state and local governments. Its purpose is to discuss issues and opportunities for regional economic transformation and manage the opportunities and risks. This will help inform the operations of the LEO network and provide an avenue for issues to be escalated.
The group will consist of members from Queensland Government departments and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ). It will be chaired by the department’s Deputy Director-General, State Development Group.
The LEO network will provide advice and report annually to the government via the Transformation Working Group on the risks, opportunities and outcomes identified and developed through the network.
Further resources
- Climate action resources for business and industry
Provides further climate action support for businesses and industry. - Climate change
Highlights some of the climate change initiatives Queensland Government is undertaking and provides resources for households and businesses. - Queensland Climate Action Plan
Information on meeting emissions reductions and renewable energy targets - Queensland Climate Action newsletter
Read and subscribe to the Queensland Climate Action newsletter - Glossary of terms (
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Decarbonisation stories in Queensland
Read about the work already underway on our news page.
Last updated: 17 Apr 2024