RELA is pleased to present Jo Sheppard, CEO of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, in our latest Q&A Series. Jo shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities facing farmers during the renewable energy transition, the importance of informed decision-making, and how the QFF’s Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit is empowering landholders across Queensland. She also discusses the vital partnership between QFF and RELA in supporting landowners to balance productive farming with renewable energy infrastructure while navigating this evolving landscape.
Can you start by telling us briefly about your role as CEO of the Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) and how the QFF helps farmers?
QFF is Queensland’s peak agricultural representative body. Our members are peak industry bodies that collectively represent more than 13,000 farmers across the state. QFF works closely with the Boards and CEO’s of our peak body members to progress issues and opportunities that matter to all farmers and the Queensland agriculture sector. We ensure the sector has a strong, unified voice at the table on the things that matter to agriculture, and advocate for a strong future for farming in Queensland.
The renewable energy landscape is rapidly evolving Australia-wide, but especially in Queensland. What are the top three greatest challenges you have come across for landholders in this space?
The unknown. There is a lot of unknowns when it comes to the renewable energy transition. For examples: how many projects; where they are going to be; what are the risks; and what are the opportunities? It is incredibly important that farmers and regional communities are supported to make informed decisions through having the right information.
Farmers negotiating with often very large, multinational companies This is presenting a very real risk for power imbalance in negotiations and it is so important that farmers are supported to own their power and to be able to negotiate from a strong and informed position.
Competition for skills. Farmers and just about every sector in regional Queensland are currently challenged by an ongoing, severe skills shortage. Whilst for many regions, the development of an exciting new industry, like renewable energy, can be very positive, it is also concerning for those existing industries and businesses who are now facing even more competition for skilled workers. It is important that existing industries are not negatively impacted during the renewable rollout from a workforce perspective.
Last year, the QFF launched the Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit. What was the main objective of this toolkit? What feedback have you received from farmers who have used the Toolkit, and how do you plan to further develop this resource?
QFF developed the Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit to assist farmers in making an informed decision if they were considering hosting wind or renewable energy infrastructure. The document is not intended to provide advice as to whether or not to host, but to ensure farmers are aware of the many things they need to consider, so that they can be supported to make an informed decision for their business, their families and their community.
As someone passionate about helping landholders, what advice would you give to farmers who are considering hosting renewable energy projects on their land but are unsure about taking the first steps?
The renewable energy transition is creating both opportunities and risks. QFF encourages farmers who are interested in hosting renewable infrastructure on their land to firstly read the Toolkit, and secondly, pick up the phone and have a conversation with RELA. Both of these can be done at no cost to the farmer and will go a long way in the farmer making the right decision for their farming enterprise, their family and their community.
With increasing competition for land use, how can landowners strike a balance between maintaining productive farming operations and hosting renewable energy infrastructure on their land?
There is growing demand for land use across Queensland driven by significant residential growth, the need for land for offsets and increased environmental outcomes including through carbon farming, the renewable energy transitions, and the list goes on. Many farmers now have a number of opportunities when it comes to what they use their land for. Many of the opportunities on the table are long term commitments and it is critical that farmers are supported to make informed decisions. Agriculture remains an important sector for Queensland and is an important part of the social fabric of regional communities, and of course plays a critical role in the future of food security for us all. Therefore, it is in everyone’s best interests that we create an environment going forward that is attractive for our farmers to keep farming whilst also arming them with the information that will help them to maximise opportunities for appropriate land use on their farm.
The partnership between QFF and RELA aims to provide knowledge and tools necessary to support landowners and their teams to make informed decisions. How do you see this partnership helping landowners make more informed decisions and succeed in the transition?
QFF are very pleased to be partnering with RELA and believe that the Toolkit and now the service that RELA provides, goes a long way in helping farmers make informed decisions. RELA’s platform combined with the collective experience and expertise within the RELA team supports farmers to take back their power and to be able to understand their value and negotiate from a strong, informed position. QFF encourages any farmer who is interested in hosting renewable energy on farm, to read the Toolkit and have a conversation with RELA before making their decision.
Looking ahead, what trends or developments do you anticipate in the intersection of agriculture and renewable energy, especially in Queensland?
QFF are at the table with all key stakeholders and working hard to ensure farmers and regions are supported during the transition. Our aim is that collectively we can minimise the risks and maximise the opportunities for all through providing sharing learnings, support and advocating for what is needed to ensure we get this right from all perspectives for future generations.