ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS FROM 2020 STATE ELECTION CANDIDATES

Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. was formed 3 years ago, with the goal of working with the Noosa community to deliver net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2026. We want to see the next State Member for Noosa hit the ground running, especially in developing and delivering electricity and transport emission reduction actions which respond to the grave issues of climate change confronting the planet.

Currently $77M leaves the shire every year in electricity costs, so we know that reduction in carbon emissions through energy efficiency and rooftop solar also pays financial dividends to businesses and households which go down that path. We want to keep that $77M in our shire, investing in our people and our businesses!

Rather than broad generalities, we are keen to present through our website, Facebook and newsletter, the specific responses from candidates to a series of policy proposals, particularly focussed on delivering a financially and environmentally smart and innovative Noosa region, one that can be a global leader on these critical issues.

Candidates were given questions, together with brief notes and links to examples. You can view a PDF of this information here.

We have asked candidates to respond by COB Sunday 18 October, when we will then publish in our newsletter. This page will be updated progressively as we receive replies. We will alert other Facebook election pages with progressive and final answers.

Here are the answers that we have received. Candidates names have been listed in alphabetical order of their last name. The incumbent is marked with a “*”

CANDIDATES

Tracey Bell-Henselin - awaiting answers

James Blevin - awaiting answers

Sandy Bolton * - answers received 16 October 2020

Mark Denham - Mark Denham Noosa Labor Candidate has let us know that he entered his answers into our online form and "You would have loved the answers". But it seems that something went awry and we didn't receive his answers. If there was fault on our side - our humble apologies. We will update this page on receiving his answers

Rhonda Prescott - answers received 18 October 2020

Darrell Redford - awaiting answers

Answers will appear here in the order that we receive them.

Received 16 October, 2020

1. ATTITUDE TOWARD CLEAN TRANSPORT

A. Do you agree that switching from car-based transport to active (cycling/walking) transport wherever possible is a top priority?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you work to speed this transition?

YES – Once Noosa Council’s cycle and pathway strategy is complete, outlining their priorities, we will work with them and State to obtain funding and identify any gaps. Connectivity between is extremely important to accommodate accessibility for all including mobility scooters, walkers and cyclists safely.

2. SPECIFIC SUPPORT FOR PEDAL TRANSPORT (BIKES)

A. Do you agree that bike transport relieves congestion, reduces demand for parking, boosts local business, and improves public health?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you work to accelerate the growth of cycle transport?

YES – supporting safe cycle pathway options is imperative for more residents to take up cycling as an affordable and healthy transport option. Unless there are safe connections, families, young people and our elderly are unlikely to change from cars, even though they want to!

3. SUPPORT FOR QUEENSLAND RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET

A. Do you believe that the Queensland Government’s current target of 50% of grid electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050 is sufficiently ambitious?

B. If no, why not? Too ambitious or not ambitious enough?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you work to make sure this target is achievable?

Hopefully this is achievable before 2050, and I’ll continue to work towards as much renewable energy as possible, as fast as possible. However we also need to ensure that doing so does not negatively impact on our most vulnerable who already struggle with the daily cost of living, including energy costs. See question below regarding EUA’s as an excellent way to advance these efforts.

4. SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL UPGRADE AGREEMENTS

An Environmental Upgrade Agreement encourages a building owner to improve the energy, water, and materials efficiency of an existing building by reducing the cost and risk of the necessary work. An EUA facilitates a loan to a business (and, in Victoria, a household) from an external source, so there is no upfront cost to the building owner for this upgrade. The loan then attaches to the property and is repaid through council rates over periods of up to 20 years. Individual councils decide whether or not to participate. No financial contribution is required from either the State Government or Councils. The introduction of EUAs in Queensland requires amending state legislation.

A. Do you support the introduction of EUAs in Queensland?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you work to ensure that legislation enabling EUAs is passed in the first year of the new Queensland Government?

YES – have have been advocating for this for over a year through numerous Ministers, including Minister de Brenni who has this responsibility in his portfolio. The pandemic has seen numerous matters delayed this year, however this needs to be progressed as soon as possible to give us all more choice and support in moving towards Zero Emissions.

5. SUPPORT FOR SOLAR FOR RENTERS

A. People who rent their accommodation are denied access to cheap solar electricity. Do you agree that renters should have access to solar power?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa what will you do to make sure renters have equal access to solar with owner-occupied households?

All should have access to the benefits of solar power. It may be that renters could have options to invest in solar projects to receive credits against their electricity bills in the same way that landlords receive credits to offset their expenditure on infrastructure for their properties. A complex topic that I look forward to discussing in further depth with ZEN and our community.

6. SUPPORT FOR NOOSA COUNCIL & ZEN INC EMISSIONS TARGETS

Noosa Council has a target of zero net Council greenhouse gas emissions by 2026. Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. has a target of zero net community greenhouse gases by 2026.

A. Do you agree with these policies?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa what will you do to assist the Noosa Community to meet this target?

YES – As always, I will assist Noosa Council and ZEN in any way possible.

7. ENDING STATE SUBSIDIES FOR FOSSIL FUELS

A. Do you agree that the Queensland Government should rule out the construction of any new or expanded fossil-fueled electricity generators?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you help ensure this policy is adopted?

Whilst this should be the aim, there are still unanswered questions regarding meeting community expectations of guaranteed base load power. Additionally, battery storage capacity, objections to gas being utilised during transition, and the impacts of disposal of turbine blades, solar panels and the like. Once we can answer for these, together with progressing more renewable energy projects, there will no longer be the need for fossil-fueled electricity generators.

8. SUPPORT FOR LOCAL POWER PLANS

Over the next few decades, Australia’s electricity system will be transformed to one reliant entirely on clean electricity. Local communities can play a big role by implementing electricity generation, storage, and distribution plans compatible with their local environments and consumption patterns.

A. Do you support local projects to coordinate, fund, control, and interact with the larger state and national electricity grids, and will you work to ensure the implementation of local projects in the Queensland electorate of Noosa?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, what will you as the Member for Noosa do assist the prompt implementation of local power plans?

Absolutely am always in favour of innovative ways to improve any function of government and our community, energy included! I look forward to projects such as this becoming a reality, as well many others as part of our new ‘normal’!

Answers received 18 October 2020

1. ATTITUDE TOWARD CLEAN TRANSPORT:

A. Do you agree that switching from car-based transport to active (cycling/walking) transport wherever possible is a top priority?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you work to speed this transition?

Most definitely.

Switching from car-based transport to active transport is core Greens policy. Within Noosa electorate this is primarily a local government responsibility. However the Qld Greens 2020 State Election policy platform promises State Government funding to fast-track walking and cycling "Green Bridges" in a couple of locations within the Brisbane area As the MP for Noosa I would advocate for State Government funding to expedite "Green Bridges" within the Noosa area.

2. SPECIFIC SUPPORT FOR PEDAL TRANSPORT (BIKES) :

A. Do you agree that bike transport relieves congestion, reduces demand for parking, boosts local business, and improves public health?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you work to accelerate the growth of cycle transport?

Most definitely.

Again, within Noosa electorate this is primarily a local government responsibility. However there are State-controlled roads eg Noosa-Cooroy Rd and Eumundi-Noosa Road where bikes share the road with cars, sometimes with tragic consequences. The Australian Greens policy platform supports the provision of 50% Federal funding to assist state and local governments achieve safe and unbroken bicycle routes. As the MP for Noosa I would push for all levels of government to work together to create safe bicycle routes to accelerate the growth of cycle transport.

3. SUPPORT FOR QUEENSLAND RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET:

A. Do you believe that the Queensland Government’s current target of 50% of grid electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050 is sufficiently ambitious?

B. If no, why not? Too ambitious or not ambitious enough?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you work to make sure this target is achievable?

Definitely not.

Analysis by the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change shows that global emissions need to be reduced to net-zero within the next few decades to avoid a dangerous increase in global temperatures and that there is no time to waste - we need to quickly put emissions into sharp structural decline. Greens policy is to reach 100% renewable energy in Queensland by 2030. We aim to achieve this by building publicly owned renewable energy infrastructure using debt-funded infrastructure investment that will produce sufficient return to pay off the investment over time. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Zero Emissions Noosa to beat our State-wide target and achieve 100% renewable energy in this area by 2026.

4. SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL UPGRADE AGREEMENTS:

An Environmental Upgrade Agreement encourages a building owner to improve the energy, water, and materials efficiency of an existing building by reducing the cost and risk of the necessary work. An EUA facilitates a loan to a business (and, in Victoria, a household) from an external source, so there is no upfront cost to the building owner for this upgrade. The loan then attaches to the property and is repaid through council rates over periods of up to 20 years. Individual councils decide whether or not to participate. No financial contribution is required from either the State Government or Councils. The introduction of EUAs in Queensland requires amending state legislation.

A. Do you support the introduction of EUAs in Queensland?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you work to ensure that legislation enabling EUAs is passed in the first year of the new Queensland Government?

Yes, most definitely.

This is an important initiative. I would firstly consult with the Minister of Housing and Public Works to try to progress support for this measure and to amend the legislation asap. If the government of the day won't do this fairly quickly I'd use one of the limited opportunities available to minor party MPs to bring bills before Parliament to do so to achieve the required amendment.

5. SUPPORT FOR SOLAR FOR RENTERS:

A. People who rent their accommodation are denied access to cheap solar electricity. Do you agree that renters should have access to solar power?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa what will you do to make sure renters have equal access to solar with owner-occupied households?

Of course!

A successful "solar for renters" programme, offering rebates to landlords to install solar systems on rental properties, has already been trialled in Queensland. I'd promote the reinstatement of a similar type of rebate programme - Greens policies support this type of initiative. Also the The Greens have a policy to construct solar-powered social housing throughout Queensland.

6. SUPPORT FOR NOOSA COUNCIL & ZEN INC EMISSIONS TARGETS:

Noosa Council has a target of zero net Council greenhouse gas emissions by 2026. Zero Emissions Noosa Inc. has a target of zero net community greenhouse gases by 2026.

A. Do you agree with these policies?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa what will you do to assist the Noosa Community to meet this target?

Yes.

I commend both Noosa Council and Zero Emissions Noosa on these policies. To limit a dangerous increase in global temperatures strong action must be taken without further delay. As the Australian Government has abrogated responsibility for emissions reduction, local action is critically important. I'd like to assist with public education and understanding regarding important steps that can be taken by individual households and organisations. Installing solar panels is a major factor. Driving less, eating less meat, using less plastic and responsible waste management will also help. Energy efficient-building design is something I am passionate about. I have lived in the tropics very comfortably with no air-conditioning - it can be done with breathable, well-ventilated cleverly designed buildings.

7. ENDING STATE SUBSIDIES FOR FOSSIL FUELS:

A. Do you agree that the Queensland Government should rule out the construction of any new or expanded fossil-fueled electricity generators?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, as the MP for Noosa how will you help ensure this policy is adopted?

Yes, definitely.

Greens policy is for no new or expanded fossil-fuelled electricity generators. We don't need them. Our plan is to invest $25 billion through Energy Queensland in building 20,000MW of publicly owned wind, solar, and energy storage, including utility batteries and pumped hydro, over four years.

8. SUPPORT FOR LOCAL POWER PLANS:

Over the next few decades, Australia’s electricity system will be transformed to one reliant entirely on clean electricity. Local communities can play a big role by implementing electricity generation, storage, and distribution plans compatible with their local environments and consumption patterns.

A. Do you support local projects to coordinate, fund, control, and interact with the larger state and national electricity grids, and will you work to ensure the implementation of local projects in the Queensland electorate of Noosa?

B. If no, why not?

C. If yes, what will you as the Member for Noosa do assist the prompt implementation of local power plans?

Yes, definitely.

The Greens want to establish a $2 billion fund to help communities throughout Queensland to implement cooperatively owned renewable energy projects giving communities direct ownership of renewables.