Sunshine Coast Daily: Change is in the air

SUNSHINE COAST DAILY reports: THE Caloundra Greens are calling for Sunshine Coast residents to get behind a project to switch Australia to 100% renewable energy sources over the next 10 years.

But secretary Allan McKay has ruled out the placement of wind or solar thermal power farms on the Coast under the Zero Carbon Australia 2020 Stationary Energy Plan.

The proposal, put together by volunteer group Beyond Zero Emissions, was discussed yesterday at a Greens-sponsored public meeting at Lake Kawana Community Centre.

It detailed a rollout of large solar thermal plants at 12 proposed sites across the country to supply 60% of Australia's power, with the other 40% being supplied by wind.

Atherton, Georgetown, Collinsville and Stanthorpe in Queensland and Walcha, Orange, Cooma and Crookwell in New South Wales have been earmarked for wind plants.

Solar thermal energy is the focus for areas of Prairie, Roma, Charleville and Longreach in Queensland and Bourke and Dubbo in NSW.

Mr McKay said although the Caloundra Greens supported the proposal to transition to renewable energy, it was important the Sunshine Coast protected its pristine coastline for tourism.

"Most of the proposed sights for renewable energy are in rural hinterland areas," he said.

"If they weren't, it would be a matter of a good solution in the wrong spot."

Mr McKay said some of the aesthetic qualities of the Coast would be lost if the region was dotted with wind farms.

"That is why there is none proposed for Brisbane either."

Mr McKay said those working in the coal and gas industries should not be concerned about jobs.

"This Zero Carbon Australia 2020 Stationary Energy proposal would see 150,000 jobs across the country during construction and ongoing operation.

"Tourism is a much bigger provider of jobs than the resources industry in Queensland."