The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) has urged national leaders to stay the course on practical climate and energy policy, warning that walking away from Australia’s long-term climate commitments would leave regional economies and families worse off.
“People across South Western Queensland know that uncertainty is bad for business,” said DDEC Coordinator Ahri Tallon. “We need stable, sensible policies that encourage investment, lower power bills and give our communities a fair go in the clean energy economy that’s already unfolding around the world.”
DDEC says that slowing the shift to renewable power would only make life more expensive for families and businesses.
“Renewable energy is now the lowest-cost power available,” said Mr Tallon. “Four million Australian households are already saving on their bills thanks to solar. If we stop building clean power, the average household could end up paying nearly $450 more a year by 2030.”
Economic and Regional Impacts of Delay
The organisation points to Treasury analysis showing that uncertainty around energy transition could cost the national economy up to $2 trillion in lost investment over the next two decades.
“Regions like ours are ready to benefit from new industries and local jobs linked to clean energy,” Tallon said. “But if Australia pulls back now, we’ll lose the momentum we’ve built — and we’ll lose opportunities to manufacture, maintain, and export the technologies the world is demanding.”
A Practical Approach to a Changing Climate
DDEC emphasised that climate change is already creating real costs in the bush — from heat stress on outdoor workers and stock losses to more frequent flood recovery bills for local councils.
“Every community in South Western Queensland understands what an increasingly unpredictable climate looks like. We’ve had enough tough seasons to know that it’s cheaper to plan ahead than to clean up afterwards,” Tallon said.
Keeping Pace with the Rest of the World
Around 145 countries, including all of Australia’s major trading partners, are investing heavily in clean energy.
“If we fall behind while others modernise, we’ll be less competitive and more exposed to global market changes,” Tallon said. “Our region has the sunshine, the land, and the know-how to be a leader in this space — if governments provide clear direction.”
Community Support for a Fair and Orderly Transition
Polling consistently shows that most Australians — including regional voters — want climate action that makes economic sense.
In a practical step DDEC is supporting the production of what will be a freely available resource reference booklet “Our Region, Our Energy Future – Factual information for communities in South West Queensland and the Downs Region to assist with the shift to clean energy” researched and prepared by Dr Megan Brady.
“People aren’t asking for grandstanding. They’re asking for a plan that keeps the lights on, keeps bills down, and keeps our regions working,” Tallon concluded. “We should be backing in clean, reliable power and ensuring the benefits stay local.”
Contact: Ahri Tallon
Darling Downs Environment Council
0455 619 454 (Media number on non work days: 0490 510 812)
info@ddec.org.au
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