Budget funds continue transition to new energy economy

Townsville City Council’s Budget 2021/22 delivers a $18.1 million investment into sustainable energy and environmental restoration as part of the city’s transition to a new energy economy.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said this investment would allow Council to continue planning and delivering climate-friendly waste to energy solutions and invest in sustainable jobs growth.

“Townsville is already well-positioned to transition into a modern economic powerhouse thanks to the development on the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct, and further investment in this space will allow us to create jobs of the future that will secure the city’s prosperity,” Cr Hill said.

“As a city, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of new energies such as solar and hydrogen and this Budget is our first to be adopted under the guidance of a new corporate plan that focuses on driving growth through sustainable industries.

“This $18.1 million will allow us to further develop the city’s hydrogen strategy, invest in solar energy, reduce waste going to landfill, and build resilience throughout our natural environment.”

This spend includes $345,000 investment into delivering a trial of a residential Food Organics and Garden Organics collection, $160,000 in solar energy, and a further $8.7 million on a variety of initiatives such as meeting zero landfill commitments, developing a hydrogen strategy, and developing new wastewater and water management plans.

Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability Committee chairperson Maurie Soars said $8.9 million was committed toward enhancing the city’s natural environment.

“We live in an environmentally-diverse region of Queensland, which is a major drawcard for attracting new residents and tourists, so it’s important that we do what we can to protect and enhance our environment,” Cr Soars said.

“That’s why we’re investing $8.9 million into rehabilitating areas that were impacted by the monsoon and to continue building resilience into our local environment.

“This will involve enhancing the environment’s ability to recover from erosion and natural disasters through planting trees and revegetating riverbanks, beach restoration and sand renourishment, and more.”