Climate action case studies
Communities, individuals and businesses across Queensland are already making a difference by acting on climate change. Filter the climate action projects by region and/or sector.
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Active landscape management pilot project, South-West Queensland
This active landscape management project will support land owners to balance productive agricultural systems with healthy country.
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Advancing Clean Energy Schools program
The Queensland Government’s Advancing Clean Energy Schools (ACES) program is reducing energy costs and greenhouse emissions at more than 800 state schools.
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All Souls St Gabriels school in Charters Towers reduced their energy, water and waste significantly by implementing a number of changes, including capturing rainwater and installing a solar photovoltaic system and a composter.
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Annabel Trends is a gift and homewares wholesaler in Burleigh Heads. It is a family company that makes and assembles giftware items at its factory, but most products are imported and repackaged in their large…
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Arana Bridge Club is a place for bridge enthusiasts to learn and play.
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Austek and Pearl Global - Carbonphalt
Two Queensland based companies, Austek and Pearl Global, have developed a product that repurposes car tyres into asphalt for roads.
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Australia Zoo is a major tourist attraction on the Sunshine Coast, only one hour north of Brisbane, with over 1200 animals and 400 staff.
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B&C Plastics design, develop, prototype and manufacture plastic injection moulded products for some of Australia’s leading brands. It is passionate about recycling and takes every opportunity to use recycled polymers where possible.
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Barcaldine region has embraced the introduction of the Queensland Containers for Change program, with results of reduced waste, improved circular economy opportunities, locals receiving 10c per container and Barcaldine Aged Care benefiting from an additional…
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Barcaldine Welding Works, a successful small business in Barcaldine, cut their energy bill by 60% by installing a solar system and LED lighting.
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Belgotex Fabrics is a premier manufacturer of residential and commercial jacquard fabrics in Australia. It partners with leading textile wholesalers throughout Australasia and is proud to manufacture its fabrics in Brisbane, supporting local people and…
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Blue Heart, Sunshine Coast, Queensland-Blue carbon sequestration
The Blue Heart is an area of more than 5,000 hectares that provides flood storage for the Maroochy River catchment.
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In 2017 the Queensland Government released a Blueprint for the North West Minerals Province which represents the combined efforts of government, industry and business stakeholders from across North West Queensland to facilitate a strong and…
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Following the construction of a 1,022 metre-long seawall, the coastal community of Boigu Island is now better protected from the impacts of rising sea levels and increased severe weather risk.
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Boreelum Carbon Project
The unique Boreelum Carbon Project is “stacking” soil carbon projects, environmental plantings and a beef herd carbon project on a grazing property in Colosseum, south of Gladstone.
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Brassets Group ecoBiz
Brassets Group is 100% Australian owned and operated and provides specialist clinical and security services to the Asia Pacific region.
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Bundaberg Christian College
Bundaberg Christian College has approximately 800 students enrolled in the college. The facility includes more than 40 classrooms, a multipurpose hall and performing and creative arts spaces, a commercial kitchen and an early learning centre.
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Bush Oasis Caravan Park is a lifestyle residential and tourist park located approximately 15 minutes north of Townsville. It offers varying types of accommodation, from unpowered grass sites to deluxe eco glamping tents and cabins.
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Business Renewables Centre Australia
The Business Renewables Centre Australia is an online, not-for-profit organisation founded by Climate-KIC Australia, WWF’s Australia Renewable Energy Buyers Forum, the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ITS) and the US-based Rocky Mountain Institute.
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Canobie gravity gradiometry survey
The Geological Survey of Queensland will undertake a high-resolution gravity gradiometry survey north of Cloncurry to assist with targeting for critical minerals and iron-oxide-copper-gold deposits (IOCG).
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Carpentaria Conductivity Anomaly MT survey
The Geological Survey of Queensland is undertaking two broad-scale magneto-telluric (MT) surveys to the south and east of Cloncurry to map out the Carpentaria Conductivity Anomaly, a geological feature that may be prospective for copper,…
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Carseldine Village, a project spearheaded by Economic Development Queensland, marks Queensland's first residential development to deliver 100% net zero energy emission freehold terrace homes.
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Charters Towers Rugby Union Football Club ecoBiz
Charters Towers Rugby Union Football Club has a proud history of running rugby games for in its regional community. The Club is committed to the spirit of rugby and to developing the next generation of…
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Chermside Bowls Club is a recreational sporting club with facilities for functions, bistro meals, drinks, and many bowling and social activities. The club seeks to build, maintain and actively invest in a sustainable and strong…
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Chinchilla Hydrogen Plant
The Queensland Government is set to build a renewable hydrogen plant near Chinchilla in the next two years.
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The Circular Cotton project in Goondiwindi offers an alternative to landfill for end-of-life cotton garments. In a local farm trial, 3000 end-of-life cotton garments were shredded and buried into the soil.
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Circular Economy 4 Business Pilot Program
The Circular Economy 4 Business Pilot Program is designed to provide small to medium businesses (SMEs) with knowledge of circular economy theory and global practices, practical skills and design and planning tools.
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Increasing heat intensity, frequency, and duration relating to the changing climate poses significant health and safety risks. The CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology predicts that in the future the number of days over 30 degrees…
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City Terraces, an accommodation services provider in Cairns, has reduced their energy use and waste significantly by retrofitting the complex with LED lighting, cleaning existing solar panels and replacing air conditioners.
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Climate Mates
16 ‘Climate Mates’ are working to improve the use of weather and climate forecasts across the northern Australia grazing industry.
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CMBM Facility Services provide expert cleaning, project management, building services, asset maintenance and grounds and facilities management for a range of industries.
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Columba Catholic College has implemented a series of energy saving measures to reduce electricity by 17%, while maintaining the heritage value of the site.
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Commercial Solar PV Systems installed at three Queensland Rail facilities
In September 2021, Queensland Rail flicked the switch on solar PV systems across three locations: the Corinda Depot, Sunshine Integrated Material and Logistics and Gracemere Tilt Train Maintenance facilities. The systems are designed to offset…
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In 2020 the Queensland Government invested $14.8 million as part of the COVID19 economic recovery plan to enable the CopperString project to continue its important development activities and prepare for construction in 2021.
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Coral Sea Marina (formerly known as Abell Point Marina) is a vibrant marina village located a short walk from the tourism town of Airlie Beach.
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Corinda State High School – Australia’s first accredited carbon-neutral school
Corinda State High School is the first school in Queensland to achieve Carbon Neutral accreditation and the only Climate Active certified secondary school in Australia.
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Creatively sharing Queensland’s climate stories
The Queensland Government continues to work with a diverse range of organisations to take climate action.
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South East Queensland’s (SEQ) population is rising, putting the transport network under pressure. While over 80%of population growth is occurring outside the Brisbane local government area, in the same time period 45% of new SEQ…
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Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen
Used tyres are recycled and processed into crumb rubber, which is blended into bitumen to be used in asphalt and sprayed seals.
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The Daintree Ecolodge have increased their sustainability by installing a solar PV system and LED lighting, purchasing energy-efficient appliances and refrigeration units, and swapping electric hot water systems for more efficient gas alternatives.
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Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service solar installation
Queensland Health has committed to installing solar systems on 50 hospitals and health facilities across the state by the end of 2022. As at September 2021, over 30 sites have been approved with more under…
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Decarbonisation of the Great Barrier Reef Island Program
The Queensland Government’s Decarbonisation of the Great Barrier Reef Islands program supports businesses and communities of the Great Barrier Reef islands to transition to a low carbon future.
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Determining the rare earth element potential of Queensland’s basins
Researchers at Adelaide University have developed a cutting-edge model for rare earth mineralisation in basin environments.
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The Driftwood Café in Cooktown has implemented waste minimisation initiatives to reduce their environmental footprint generated by the café and its customers.
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ecoBiz is a free Queensland Government-funded program delivered by Business Chamber Queensland.
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Ecotourism Australia helps tourism businesses and destinations improve their sustainability.
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Bill and Robyn Spence invested in a solar photovoltaic system and battery to meet the needs of their two-person family on their grazing property at Elis, an hour from Muttaburra in Central Queensland.
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A new web-based tool is helping Queensland’s horticultural farmers reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
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Queensland’s storm recovery and network maintenance has been supercharged with Energex taking delivery of the state’s first fully electric bucket truck.
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Extracting rare earth elements sustainably
This initiative is crucial to the future development of an entire Rare Earth Elements (REE) supply chain; by demonstrating an economic and environmentally sustainable extraction method for REE, numerous exploration-stage REE projects will become viable.
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In response to significant financial, environmental and market pressures, local Goondiwindi farms have diversified into new crops, free-range pork, organic dairy and olive oil production.
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Queensland Nitrates (QNP), an Ammonium Nitrate Manufacturer in Moura, Central Queensland, and their project partners Neoen, Advisian and ARENA conducted a feasibility study using green hydrogen to produce ammonia at their existing manufacturing plant.
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Finding hidden value in the North West Minerals Province
In collaboration with the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, the Geological Survey of Queensland (GSQ) has re-analysed samples from mine tailings (i.e. waste material, often stored in dams) at established and historic…
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Goondiwindi FoodWorks community cooperative has reduced its energy consumption and introduced waste management initiatives.
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Freedom Constructions is a local building company in Cairns.
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From Method to Market project – unlocking ecosystem service opportunities for livestock producers
A partnership between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and Meat and Livestock Australia, this four-year $1.2 million research project seeks to overcome the technical and economic barriers to grazier participation in ecosystem services markets…
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Future Foods BioHub, Mackay
The Queensland Government has invested $1 million to develop a Future Foods BioHub in Mackay, which will use advanced biomanufacturing to create alternative foods, protein products and plant extractives.
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Geebung Kindergarten has reduced its energy intensity by 11% and its water intensity by 37%. It is committed to using resources efficiently and has made sustainability a strong focus of the kindergarten’s education program.
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A proposed $300 million high purity alumina (HPA) plant has been approved for development in Gladstone.
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Gladstone Marine Parks base goes solar
The Gladstone Marine Parks base implemented energy efficiency measures in 2020 and reduced their consumption of grid power by 50%.
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Global GreenTag International ecoBiz
Global GreenTag International is a globally recognised provider of certification systems for green products and materials. The company, whose office is located and headquartered in Brisbane, currently has more than 16,000 products under certification in…
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Gough Plastics aims to find the right balance between family and work and caring for the environment.
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Between 2018-19 and 2019-20 Grange Thistle Soccer Club reduced its energy intensity by 37% and waste intensity by 45%.
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Grazing and regenerative agriculture, Goondicum Station, Central Queensland
In the 1950s, the Campbell family saw the opportunity to create an environmentally sustainable beef business on their farm.
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As part of the $25 million GBR Island Resorts Rejuvenation Program (IRR), projects with a focus on growing, greening and cleaning island resorts were awarded funding through a contestable fund.
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Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts Rejuvenation Program - Orpheus Island Lodge
As part of the Queensland Government’s Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts Rejuvenation Program, Orpheus Island Lodge installed 810 solar panels and now runs exclusively on solar power. This has reduced emissions and diesel fuel usage…
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APA have partnered with Southern Green Gas with support from ARENA to construct a demonstration plant for the production of renewable methane.
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Guymer Bailey Architects have redesigned their office space to adapt to their changing business and demonstrate their passion for the environment.
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Halpin Partners Accountants have better aligned their actions to their values of being a responsible, environmentally aware and proactive business by reducing their energy usage and waste output.
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Through its Sector Adaptation Planning Plus (SAP+) funding program, this heat-friendly infrastructure project was led by University of the Sunshine Coast, Griffith University, and UnitingCare Queensland.
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Across Australia, average temperatures are set to increase due to climate change. Heatwaves are predicted to be longer, more frequent and more intense.
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Helping the elderly manage heat impacts at home
Working alongside UnitingCare Queensland, Griffith University and BlueCare, the co-funded Heatwave Outreach Project is helping protect the elderly from heat-related illnesses.
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The Hill Top Farm offers ecofriendly farm stays, integrating initiatives that minimise its environmental footprint and demonstrate the value of ecological approaches to regenerative agriculture.
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Hockey Queensland has reduced its energy intensity by 59% and waste intensity by 65% between 2017 and 2020.
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Howard Smith Wharves (HSW) is an entertainment destination located beneath the iconic Story Bridge in Brisbane. The 3.4-hectare site is home to more than 15 hospitality businesses with over 700 staff.
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Improving climate adaptation in the agriculture sector
To help farmers and the agriculture industry adapt to climate change in their sector, the Agriculture Sector Adaptation Plan was developed in partnership with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), AgForce, and Growcom.
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The Queensland Government and Coreo’s Transition 2 Action Program is delivering innovative ways to diversify crop sustainability, supporting farmers in keeping their land prosperous in a changing climate.
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Indigenous savanna burning project, Cape York, North Queensland
The Central Cape York Regional Savanna Fire Project is making use of traditional land management practices to limit greenhouse gas emissions and improve the health of the environment in Cape York Peninsula.
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Infarm is an agricultural artificial intelligence platform involving weed identification technology that is designed to reduce herbicide input on farm.
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Kaban Green Power Hub is a $373 million renewable energy project located in the Atherton Tablelands of Far North Queensland.
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Kamilaroi airborne magnetic survey
The Geological Survey of Queensland has completed a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey north of Mount Isa, following known trends of cobalt mineralisation associated with major copper deposits in the region.
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Kenmore District Kindergarten and Preschool is a not-for-profit community kindergarten about ten kilometres south-west of Brisbane. It has been caring and educating children for almost 65 years.
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The Kidston Pumped Hydro Storage Project is a 250-megawatt pumped storage hydroelectric power generation facility that will use the decommissioned Kidston Gold Mine’s upper and lower pits.
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Kith & Kin is a small local disability and mental health service.
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Lake Dalrymple Watershed Project
Carse O Gowrie is a 47,600ha cattle grazing enterprise situated directly upstream of Lake Dalrymple (Burdekin Dam), the largest replenished coastal aquifer in Australia.
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Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct
Australia’s first environmentally-sustainable advanced manufacturing, processing and technology hub. The precinct will be a centre for new and emerging industries like renewable hydrogen, advanced battery manufacturing, clean energy and battery minerals processing.
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Lat27 is an award-winning multidisciplinary design collective of landscape architects, landscape planners, urban designers, architects, and graphic designers.
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In partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Lendlease will hold eight programs to collaborate with local community groups and organisations to learn about the impact and threats to the Southern region of the Great…
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Low-emissions buses across Queensland
The Queensland Government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy is accelerating Queensland toward a cleaner, greener transport future while making sure the state’s energy network supports the transition to zero net emissions.
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The MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct (the Precinct) will host two large wind farms about 40km west of Warwick, MacIntyre Wind Farm and Karara Wind Farm, with a combined capacity of 1026 megawatts.
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Five major shopping centres in Australia, including four in Queensland, will have solar panels covering their entire roofs as part of a partnership between Energy Queensland’s Yurika team and QIC.
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The Gold Coast Waterways Authority and the City of Gold Coast are collaborating on a project to manage coastal hazards, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events, to protect vital infrastructure including the Gold…
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Mars Birdcare is a pet food manufacturer. Its factory in Wacol, near Ipswich, produces food and treats for wild and domestic birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and chickens.
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MDI Australia is a specialist developer and distributor of gifts, toys and homewares based in Brisbane.
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Mine the core
In times past cost constraints prevented many companies from analysing drill core samples beyond a restricted suite of metals when conducting their exploration programs.
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Mon Repos Turtle Centre
One of Queensland’s most popular tourism destinations will run off almost entirely renewable energy, and create jobs as part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
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Monash University’s Climate Change Communication Research Hub
The Queensland Government, through the Department of Environment and Science, has sponsored the delivery of place-based information packs in towns and cities across Queensland through Monash University’s Climate Change Communication Research Hub.
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Montville Yurts provides beautiful and unique solutions for alternative wedding venues. Situated high in the hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, these yurts are unique and handmade with skill and high attention to detail.
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A 15-year, $779,000 collaboration between the Queensland Government and AgriProve Pty. Ltd is increasing soil health and organic carbon on a grazing property in the Gladstone region.
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The Clean Energy Finance Corporation has committed a $75 million senior debt facility to Stockland for initiatives designed to help it achieve its 2028 target for net zero carbon emissions across all of its business. Newport…
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The Queensland Reconstruction Authority has made $10 million available to eligible councils for projects to reduce disaster risk in northern Queensland through the North Queensland Natural Disasters Mitigation Program.
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One of Queensland’s publicly owned generators, Stanwell is partnering with Vast Solar to develop feasibility options to develop the North West Queensland Hybrid Power Project (NWQHPP).
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Goondiwindi’s Nigel Corish is one of 400 farmers who have been awarded a Nuffield Australia Farming Scholarship, giving him the opportunity to learn from leading agricultural practices overseas.
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Ocean Rafting is a locally owned and family run tour company. Their Whitsunday tours visit the “wild side” of the local islands, showcasing the area's beautiful natural scenery brimming with marine, bird, and animal life.…
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Perfect Potion, a manufacturer and retailer of skincare and aromatherapy products, has reduced its energy consumption and waste at their manufacturing and distribution center in Banyo.
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The Rockhampton PCYC reduced their energy consumption by installing a roof top solar system, an energy efficient industrial fan and LED lighting.
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Process Systems, a manufacturer and distributer of process valves, have implemented a number of new processes to reduce their operational overhead costs and their reliance on energy and water grid infrastructure, to be best positioned…
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Queensland Electric Super Highway
The Queensland Electric Super Highway is the world’s longest electric super highway in a single state.
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Queensland Water Modelling Network
The Queensland Water Modelling Network (QWMN) is supporting a number of projects to help understand the potential impacts of climate change on water supply and security.
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Noosa as a community has a strong focus on sustainability and preserving the local area.
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Recycled Crushed Glass (RCG)
In December 2020, the Department of Transport and Main Roads completed the first project to use recycled glass in asphalt on a Queensland-state controlled road.
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A group of landholders in Central Queensland have created a peer-to-peer network to share learnings in regenerative agriculture practices.
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Rockhampton Regional Council (RRC) engaged Ironbark Sustainability to quantify the council’s corporate emissions and support planning around the transition towards net zero. Ironbark works with councils and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, tackle…
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RUD Australia have successfully integrated environmental and social considerations into the way they do business, with the support of the ecoBiz program.
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Scarborough Physiotherapy is a boutique physiotherapy and multidisciplinary health care clinic on the Redcliffe Peninsula in Moreton Bay.
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Sipping Duck Coffee Roasters (Stratford) is a small business in Far North Queensland that has been selling coffee beans since 2013. The business consists of two cafés, a wholesale and retail business and a barista…
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Sustainability is at the heart of Small World Journeys’ operations. The team commit to reducing their resource use and making their community better.
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Smart Streets – LED Lighting
The Queensland Government is investing in smarter, less-energy, intensive street lights, cutting energy usage by up to 40%.
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Speak OUT youth events 2022
Speak OUT events are an open forum for young people to tell government what they want for a better Queensland. Speak OUTs are open to all young people aged 15-25 years.
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Government-owned Stanwell Corporation is working with Iwatani Corporation of Japan to develop a significant green hydrogen export project at a land site west of Gladstone.
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State Heatwave Risk Assessment
The Queensland Government’s State Heatwave Risk Assessment 2019 features long-term climate change projections as part of its analysis of future climate risks in Queensland.
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Sun Metals Corporation will establish a renewable hydrogen plant at its zinc refinery in Townsville with funding of up to A$5 million in funding through the Queensland Government’s Hydrogen Industry Development Fund.
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Sycamore Health’s holistic approach to health includes caring about the health of our planet. They joined the ecoBiz program to find ways to reduce their energy, water and waste and have become a 2-Star Partner.
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The Electoral Commission of Queensland
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has joined the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland’s ecoBiz program to gain a better understanding of its waste management practice.
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Tide Productions specialises in film, photography and animation.
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Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, a membership-based organisation that promotes sustainable tourism, have demonstrated their commitment to both promoting best practice and demonstrating it in their operations.
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Traditional Family Group is an Indigenous-run cleaning and maintenance business in Barcaldine, Central Western Queensland.
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Tritium
Technology manufacturers Tritium have opened a new electric vehicle charger testing facility at Murrarie, allowing more efficient testing and deployment of chargers.
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TUSA is one of the dive and snorkel experience operators in Cairns owned by Entrada Travel Group. Every day, it takes visitors to the iconic Great Barrier Reef.
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Whitbreads Cordials successfully minimised the cost of doing business by implementing a range of energy saving initiatives, including installation of a solar PV system, LED lighting and gravity-fed water supply.
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With 'coffee that does good' as a tagline, it is not surprising to find White Whale Coffee Roasters on the ecoBiz Star Partner list. They have best practice initiatives in place to reduce their energy…
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The Whitsunday Climate Innovation Hub is aiming to improve the resilience of the Whitsunday region in the face of increasing climate change hazards, such as storm tide and coastal erosion.
