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  • 2 months ago
As mining companies like Rio Tinto look to retreat, the Queensland government will prolong the life of coal fired power stations. Communities with the power stations are relieved, but experts say they could still close suddenly.

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00:00In central Queensland, coal has been king, a linchpin of the region's economy.
00:08It's a very big employer. It would be pretty devastating for the community if it was to shut down.
00:14The Calliope B power station was due to close in 2028.
00:19The state government has confirmed it will stay open until at least 2031,
00:25a relief to the local business community.
00:27Having large industry also improves the liveability of our community.
00:32It provides investment in retail spaces and services.
00:37The power station has undergone major repairs after two explosions and a cooling tower collapsed.
00:44The existing coal infrastructure is facing a whole lot of pressure and stress and we're seeing a lot of breakdowns.
00:50In Biloela, locals say the extension will buy the community time to find alternative industries
00:56and better plan for their future.
00:59The health of the town and the schools and the sporting clubs and the community groups and that type of thing,
01:05just having that little more certainty around it for a bit longer.
01:07Other communities are also looking for certainty when the government releases its five-year energy roadmap this week.
01:14The Queensland Conservation Council is calling on the LNP to put a timeline on coal-fine power closures in order to meet emissions targets.
01:24And if we keep denying that change is going to occur, that just means that we're not doing the planning that really Queenslanders deserve.
01:31We know that we can't rely on coal forever.
01:34Last week, Rio Tinto announced the Gladstone Power Station could close six years earlier than expected in 2029.
01:42It wouldn't be a few years later than junction Pods.
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