First Nations communities impacted by six potential new hydrogen projects in Australia have the opportunity to participate in a targeted information sharing workshop to find out what’s happening, the likely impacts, and how First Nations rights and interests may be exercised.

Traditional Owners and advocates are calling for clear pathways to include First Nations communities in the clean energy sector.

Two Elders and one CEO from flood ravaged Wujal Wujal arrived in Brisbane today to ask Ministers and energy service providers to remove the barriers to realising a 40-year community-led vision for developing a renewable energy asset to ensure reliable affordable power. 

Finance and funding opportunities for the state of Queensland can be found here.

We haven't tracked them all yet, so please advise us if you know of finance or funding opportunities that could be included.

Extraordinary Disaster Recovery Grants – Tropical Cyclone Jasper (Small Business) (Closing 20 December 2024)

Name of program: Extraordinary Disaster Recovery Grants – Tropical Cyclone Jasper (Small Business)

Who is it for: 

• small businesses and not-for-profits impacted by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, 13-28 December 2023.

Who's funding it? Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority

Conditions: 

• Maximum grant amount is $50,000 and is available through 2 applications:

  • An initial amount of up to $10,000 is available to support an initial claim. Evidence of the direct damage such as photographs, quotations, tax invoices and official receipts is required.

  • A subsequent amount of up to $40,000 is available to support subsequent claims for which full evidence of payment is required.

When does funding close? Closing 20 December 2024

How do I apply? Click here

Indigenous Councils Funding Program (Closing 30 June 2025)

Name of program: Indigenous Councils Funding Program (ICFP)

Who is it for: 

• Indigenous Shire Councils

Who's funding it? Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Works

When does funding close? Closing 30 June 2025

How do I apply? Click here

Natural Resources Recovery Program (Round 4)

Name of program: Natural Resources Recovery Program - Round 3

Who is it for: 

• not-for-profit and natural resource management organisations across Queensland
• First Nations people and organisations
• partnerships

Who's funding it? Qld government

Conditions: 

• up to $10 million funding per year
• must improve landscape resilience and ability to respond to natural disasters and climate change, and build valued and enduring partnerships with Traditional Owners

When does funding close? Yet to open

How do I apply? Click here

Small Business Exceptional Assistance Grant Program QLD (Closing 13 December 2024)

Name of program: Small Business Exceptional Assistance Grant Program QLD

Who is it for: 

• provides QLD small businesses in eligible disaster areas that experienced significant disruptions and losses during the peak Christmas and New Year trading period.
• Support is available for businesses impacted by:
  • Tropical Cyclone Jasper and associated flooding from 13 to 28 December 2023
  • South East Queensland storms and subsequent flooding from 24 December 2023 to 3 January 2024

What can funding be used for?

• Funding may be used for extraordinary costs related to re-establishing business operations and sustaining employment, including:

  • paying salaries or wages to employees

  • covering rent or rates associated with the business premises

  • purchasing goods, equipment or supplies necessary for the business to resume operations

  • professional services related to disaster recovery

  • marketing expenses aimed at regaining lost customers and re-establishing the business post-disaster.

Who's funding it? Qld government

Conditions: 

• Funding of up to $20,000

When does funding close? Closing 13 December 2024

How do I apply? Click here

Thanks to Kikki Starr for the photo!

Over 100 First Nations leaders and industry and government representatives are registered to attend the fourth roundtable in the co-design of the inaugural First Nations Clean Energy Strategy in Cairns, Queensland on 28-29 August 2023.

Despite significant energy justice issues, there is great opportunity for First Nations to play a leading role in the clean energy industry in Queensland, particularly given the scale of projects proposed.

Queensland has very strong solar resources, and also high quality and nationally competitive wind resources and there is clearly much potential for the development of clean energy projects on First Nations-titled lands. 

Download the paper here

This policy overview was drafted with assistance from Elizabeth McDonald, Director at Chalk & Behrendt  and Taryn Lane, consultant and Manager of Hepburn Community Wind Farm. 

Thanks to Hoshi Moshi for the image!

You're invited to the next roundtable feeding into the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy being held in Cairns on 28-29 August 2023.

The draft Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023 sets out a bold plan for steps Queensland will take to transition to renewable energy, however it presently lacks detail about the interaction with people and communities and workers, and critically, from the First Nations Clean Energy Network perspective, the way in which Queensland’s transition plans will interact and engage with First Nations people and communities.

Download the submission here

First Nations communities, organisations, and relevant government representatives are invited to attend the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy roundtable on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 August in Cairns.