The seven councils of Central Western Queensland have released an Australian-first benefits agreement; creating a unique framework for how their local communities will benefit from the proposed RAPAD Power Grid and other energy developments. 

The RAPAD Power Grid Community Benefit Royalty Agreement (CBRA) aims to deliver significant long-term cash payments that will support social and economic infrastructure investment determined by the community. 

The Remote Area Planning and Development (RAPAD) Board is hosting a delegation from the United States’ leading renewable energy State - Texas, this week ahead of an Energy and Economic Futures Forum in Barcaldine on Friday 27 September.

RAPAD Chair and Longreach Mayor, Tony Rayner said the delegation of landholders, policy and community representatives will meet with government and industry in Brisbane before visiting landholders in Blackall and Barcaldine and participating in the forum alongside local expertise and experience.

As Central West Queensland looks to take the next steps in its energy and economic diversification journey, RAPAD is bringing together an expert and broader stakeholder forum to start conversations, connect with industry and professional networks and keep our community informed.

Western Queensland landholders are being invited to register interest in hosting on their properties renewable energy projects that could be connected to the proposed RAPAD Power Grid transmission line.

The RAPAD Power Grid project is a collaboration between the seven Central Western Queensland Regional Area Planning and Development (RAPAD) councils and CopperString’s founders, Queensland company VisIR, to work with landholders and communities to establish an estimated 930-kilometre clean energy corridor to secure jobs and growth for western Queensland.