Gladstone and Central Queensland
Descriptive transcript
Slide 1
The People and Places Powering Australia's Future
Slide 2
In the spirit of reconciliation, the Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Gladstone/Rockhampton Region, the Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda, Darumbal and Gangulu peoples and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living and working in the region.
Slide 3
Australia's clean energy transformation is underway. Regional communities, including Central Queensland, have always played a critical role in powering the nation and are now bringing new energy to Australia.
Slide 4
Meet some of the inspiring people and places driving this change.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHERINE GRIFFITHS
Slide 5
Birdseye from Mount Archer
Rockhampton, Central Queensland
Rockhampton is strategically positioned for major developments in solar, wind and hydrogen energy. With its proximity to key infrastructure and a strong local workforce, the region is poised to lead Australia's energy transformation, blending its rich history with a future powered by clean energy innovation.
Slide 6
Dr Sanath Alahakoon
Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, and Leader SMART Grid Research Group, Central Queensland University
Gladstone, Central Queensland
"Industry has been convinced to think differently and move on from 'business as usual' to new ways of doing things. This change has been triggered by the business opportunities created by the renewable energy transformation."
Slide 7
Charmaine Bennett
General Manager at Integreat Queensland
Gladstone, Central Queensland
"By standing together, we can make the economic transformation happen to create job opportunities and more sustainable environmental practices."
Slide 8
Cr Natalia Muszkat, Deputy Mayor, Gladstone Regional Council
Gladstone, Central Queensland
"Gladstone has the potential to be an energy and knowledge hub and be at the forefront of the transformation. We need to embrace this change so we can continue to prosper and ensure the future of our children and our planet."
Slide 9
Dr Michael Opolot
Research Fellow, Centre for Hydrogen and Renewable Energy, Central Queensland University
Gladstone, Central Queensland
"I am really excited about the opportunities opening up due to the clean energy transformation. It's Australia's big chance to show the world what it's capable of as we have all the natural resources and sunlight to be an energy superpower."
Slide 10
Aldoga Solar Farm
Aldoga, Central Queensland
Operated by Acciona Energia, this large-scale solar farm harnesses the power of the sun to provide sustainable electricity for Central Queensland - reducing carbon emissions and paving the way for a cleaner future.
Slide 11
Boats ready for action
Port of Gladstone, Central Queensland
The vibrant scene at the Port of Gladstone captures a bustling hub of activity. The port is a critical nexus for both traditional industries and emerging renewable energy projects, supporting local and national economies.
Slide 12
Dr Cal Devney
Project Manager, Hydrogen Community Hub, and Senior Research Officer, Central Queensland University
Gladstone, Central Queensland
"The transition to a sustainable future is crucial, not just for ourselves but for future generations. My goal is to support the community by providing people with the knowledge to actively participate in this transition and help shape a more sustainable world."
Slide 13
Nikki Chenoweth, Senior First Nations Engagement Advisor for Stanwell Power Station
Tannum Sands, QLD
"I'd love to see more First Nations people in the renewable energy sector. There are many opportunities, including employment, supply chain participation, co-creation of projects and being able to stay and work on Country, which has a positive effect for communities."
Slide 14
Amberley Jensen, Power Systems Superintendent at Stanwell Power Station
Stanwell, Central Queensland
"Change is exciting, and new technologies bring learning opportunities. I'm proud to be part of shaping the future while supporting local job opportunities. It's important for me, especially as a mother, to ensure the next generation has access to safe, reliable industries close to home."
Slide 15
Marcus Taylor, Generation Services Manager – Operations, Stanwell Power Station
Stanwell, Central Queensland
"Not since the adoption of coal-thermal technology has our industry seen change on this scale. It's exciting to be in a business that is leading this transformation head-on, ensuring we care for our people, deliver for our customers, and support the future of our region."
Slide 16
Brody Gavranich, Training and Operations Specialist at Alpha HPA
Gladstone, Central Queensland
Formerly a coal quality technician, Brody is now part of the clean technology sector. He is pictured here at Alpha HPA, a local business pioneering Australia's first processing facility for high-purity alumina.
Slide 17
Cassidy Gee Kee, Process Operator at Alpha HPA Facility
Gladstone, Central Queensland
As a Process Operator, Cassidy's role within this innovative environment highlights the significance of Central Queensland in advancing clean energy solutions and sustainable manufacturing practices that are critical to Australia's energy transformation.
Slide 18
The train rolls on
Rockhampton, Central Queensland
The Rockhampton train continues to be an important part of the region's infrastructure, with the potential to support new developments in clean energy, such as solar, wind, and hydrogen projects, contributing to Queensland's future.
Slide 19
The People and Places Powering Australia's Future
Find out how the Central Queensland is powering Australia's clean energy transformation
Australian Government Coat of Arms We're bringing new energy to Australia
Hunter, New South Wales
Descriptive transcript
Slide 1
The People and Places Powering Australia's Future
Slide 2
Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation, the Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Newcastle/Hunter Region, the Awabakal, Worimi, Wonnarua and surrounding peoples and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living and working in the region.
Slide 3
Australia's clean energy transformation is underway. Regional communities, including the Hunter, have always played a critical role in powering the nation and are now bringing new energy to Australia.
Slide 4
Meet some of the inspiring people and places driving this change.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATHERINE GRIFFITHS
Slide 5
Coal landscape
Muswellbrook, NSW
This road cuts through the heart of Muswellbrook's coal country, a reminder of the region's longstanding role in powering Australia. As the landscape evolves, these roads lead toward a future of renewable energy and new industries.
Slide 6
Laureate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi
Director, Centre for Innovative Energy Technologies,
Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER), University of Newcastle
Newcastle, NSW
"I believe the best of both worlds is to have economic growth without the side-effects of emissions. That's why my team of scientists is working hard on many different projects to ensure that Australia can meet its plan to transition to renewables."
Slide 7
Isabel Toasa
Co-Founder and Head of Research,
EM Energy
Newcastle, NSW
"As a scientist and entrepreneur based in the Hunter region, I am on a mission to empower global communities through sustainable and dependable energy solutions. Inspired by the ecological balance in nature, where nothing goes to waste, I advocate for the transformation of waste into energy."
Slide 8
Dr Simin Moradmand
Postdoctoral Researcher in Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering,
University of Newcastle
Newcastle, NSW
"An economy built on transformation is a bold new way of thinking about progress… Renewable Energy Zones in the Hunter offer new opportunities for a stronger, cleaner, and more sustainable future."
Slide 9
Faith Eeson
President of Hunter Multicultural Communities
Newcastle, NSW
"I aim to stay informed and use that knowledge to drive change. The idea is to focus not just on the environment but also on a sustainable economy, ensuring jobs for the future."
Slide 10
Kayakers on Newcastle Harbour
Newcastle, NSW
Kayakers glide across the water and an angler throws out a line at dusk . As Newcastle embraces its role in the energy transformation, these waters symbolise a shared future for community and sustainable practices.
Slide 11
Rebecca MacDonald,
President of the Filipino-Australian Society of The Hunter Valley
Kurri Kurri, NSW
"It's really good to see the local economy benefit from all the new energy projects that are springing up."
Slide 12
Simone Jordan
Chair of Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council and Indigenous Employment Partner at University of Newcastle
Newcastle, NSW
"Renewable energy is not just a practical solution for addressing energy needs, which supports efforts to sustain cultural heritage. It also aligns with Aboriginal Australians' values of land care, sustainability, and self-determination."
Slide 13
Deb Barwick
CEO of the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce
Rutherford, NSW
"The renewable energy transition is a growing opportunity for Aboriginal businesses, and the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce connects with non-Indigenous organisations to create and foster partnerships, contract opportunities and jobs."
Slide 14
Ben Moore, Luka Mckeown, 16, Erin Tamindzic, 16, Rani Scorringe, 15 and Lyla Nardo, 15
Hunter School of the Performing Arts, with students
Broadmeadow, NSW
Teacher Ben Moore - is a passionate advocate for innovation. His leadership continues to inspire the next generation of students to engage with STEM and sustainability.
Slide 15
Liam Barnard (front), Isaac Wills and Caleb Stedler
St Philip's Christian College
Newcastle, NSW
Students display solar-powered cars they constructed using thermoplastic derived from cornstarch. They are part of a STEM program led by teacher Dave Bonzo, who is helping to inspire the next generation of energy enthusiasts.
Slide 16
Arden Jarrett
Marketing Manager, MGA Thermal
Tomago, NSW
"Working in this sector, knowing the impact this technology will have on our future, makes me proud to work in the Hunter region. We have the opportunity, as women and gender-diverse people, to shape this transition and be part of it from the very beginning."
Slide 17
Dr Alexander Post
Co-Founder and CTO, MGA Thermal
Tomago, NSW
Dr Post is pictured with stacks of the company's revolutionary thermal storage bricks - enough to power a household for a month. MGA is scaling production, with plans to manufacture two years' worth of household energy in just one day.
Slide 18
Siobhan Curran
Director, Entrepreneurship, University of Newcastle
Newcastle, NSW
As a leading figure in the Integrated Innovation Network's Cleantech Accelerator, Siobhan is helping to build the capability of Hunter entrepreneurs in critical topics including clean energy, recycling and waste and supply chain.
Slide 19
Dr Gunilla Burrowes
CleanTech Investor
Newcastle, NSW
An electrical engineer and entrepreneur, Dr Burrowes embodies the spirit of innovation. Her work in renewable energy and commitment to diversity in STEM is helping to shape the future of sustainability , assisting Australia's net zero transformation.
Slide 20
Tractor, coal mine
Muswellbrook, NSW
A tractor works to rehabilitate a site at the former Muswellbrook Coal Mine. As part of Idemitsu's rehabilitation and post mining land use, the site is being assessed for approval to be transformed into a pumped hydro storage project and solar farm, along with a mix of grazing fields and woodland for future use.
Slide 21
The People and Places Powering Australia's Future
Find out how the Hunter is powering Australia's clean energy transformation.