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Agriculture, Farming & Rural
FCA

Central Queensland residents have their say on climate, energy

Farmers for Climate Action

  • Increased heatwaves and floods driving increased climate concern across CQ 

  • Locals blame energy company profiteering for high bills 

  • Clear majorities in both Gladstone and Central Queensland support the shift to clean energy, though most don’t realise they’re in the majority 

Farmers for Climate Action has released polling of residents across the Gladstone and Central Queensland region, as it aims to have the voices of regional communities heard.

Some 357 residents were polled - 204 in Gladstone and 153 across Central Queensland excluding Gladstone, so that attitude differences between Gladstone and the rest of Central Queensland could be recorded. The polling was part of a broader poll of 1,965 residents across key renewable energy zones, and was completed on March 20 (polling tables attached). The research firm, 89 Degrees East, is a member of The Research Society of Australia.

Media contact: Cam Klose 0490 436 948 [email protected]

FCA CEO Verity Morgan-Schmidt said the data showed 30% of Gladstone residents and 28% of Central Queensland residents polled had become more concerned about climate change in the past year.

"Residents across the region have become more concerned about climate change in the past 12 months. In Gladstone, heatwaves and floods (both 74%) and bushfires (69%) were the top drivers. Across Central Queensland, floods (70%), heatwaves and droughts (both 63%) topped the list," Ms Morgan-Schmidt said.

"Some 43% of Gladstone residents and 48% of Central Queensland residents blame energy companies profiteering for high energy bills. Others blamed coal breakdowns and international events; just 15% and 18% respectively thought clean energy was responsible.

“Some 59% of Gladstone residents named solar as the `significant energy source’ for the future, while 46% nominate onshore wind, 37% say coal, 31% say gas, with nuclear last at 24%.

“Some 68% of Central Queensland residents named solar as the `significant energy source’ for the future, while onshore wind, coal and gas are equal at 36%, with nuclear last at 25%.

“Support for the clean energy shift is 65% in Gladstone and 61% in Central Queensland, with opposition at just 17% and 20% respectively, and around one in five neither supporting nor opposing.

"The data showed a striking gap between real and perceived support for clean energy in Gladstone and Central Queensland. Only 49% of Gladstone residents and 37% of Central Queensland residents thought there was majority support for clean energy in their community.

"Media and social media algorithms will continue to promote conflict and negativity, and FCA will continue to listen to farmers, not Facebook."

- ENDS -


Contact details:

Media contact: Cam Klose 0490 436 948 [email protected]