Tuesday 8 April 2025
Queensland Conservation Council has condemned a barrage of pro-fossil fuel announcements by the Crisafulli Government today, that if followed through, will lock Queensland into more expensive energy and climate impacts.
In a speech today, Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki announced the development of two new gas plants, an investigation into extending the life of the Callide B and other coal power stations, and a review of the State’s emissions reduction targets that were legislated with bipartisan support only last year. He also confirmed the Government’s intention to repeal Queensland’s popular renewable energy targets.
Research by the conservation council shows that keeping Callide B open could cost Queensland taxpayers up to $420 million a year. The Queensland Conservation Council is calling on the State Government to keep Queenslanders safe and consider the huge cost of climate inaction on communities and businesses.
Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said:
“Queenslanders elected the Crisafulli Government after they promised to reduce emissions by 75 per cent by 2035. Now they are playing dangerous politics with our energy system as well as breaking their promise on real climate action.
“Callide B was designed with a life span of 40 years and it’s set to retire in 2028. Keeping it open to 2031 could cost Queenslanders up to $420 million a year for those three years and expose us to higher risks of outages and pollution.
“Queensland is still dealing with a horror wet season that saw significant flooding in Townsville and North Queensland, Cyclone Alfred threatened South East Queensland and now there are huge floods in Western Queensland. Cyclone Alfred alone was estimated to cost the State $2 billion.
“Every Queenslander is already paying the cost of climate inaction, whether that’s through higher insurance or food prices, or cleaning up after more frequent and ferocious extreme weather events.
“Today’s announcement shows that the Crisafulli Government is intent on throwing good money after bad and locking us into more dirty, unreliable coal and polluting gas.
“Minister Janetzki today signalled he will lock Queensland into worse climate impacts by opening up new gasfields, as well as extending the life of coal fired power. We need more renewables and storage, not new polluting gas.
“The uncertainty we’re seeing from the Crisafulli Government on energy and climate action is ultimately harmful for consumers, businesses, and our environment.
“Strong climate action, such as the 75 per cent emissions reduction target, is critical for the survival of the Great Barrier Reef. Today’s announcement is bad news for the Reef.
“Queensland can’t afford to wait until 2050 to reduce harmful pollution. We’re urging the State Government to keep Queenslanders safe by maintaining Queensland’s emission reduction and renewable energy targets and delivering comprehensive plans to meet them.”
Media contact: Ellie McLachlan, 0407 753 830
Available for interview: Director, Dave Copeman, Queensland Conservation Council: 0408 841 595
Video grabs, Dave Copeman's reaction to today’s news.
ENDS
Background
Queensland Conservation Council’s analysis of Callide B shows that keeping Callide B online beyond the end of its technical life in 2028 is financially irresponsible because:
- Callide B, based on the annual reports of CS Energy, appears to have recorded a real loss of $120 million over the last five years, an average of $24 million/year.
- As a Government-owned entity, this is money that the taxpayers ultimately have paid.
- If the power station is kept online beyond its 2028 end of life, it is likely to cost Queensland taxpayers around $95 million in 2029.
- This could escalate to $420 million if more work is needed to repair the turbines or other facilities at the power station, like the ash dam.
QCC’s report into Callide B is here