Queensland Energy
Coal & Gas Commitment and the Risks Stated for Queensland’s Future
Factual snapshot from WWF‑Australia’s 10 Oct 2025 press release on the state’s five‑year energy roadmap, extended coal operations, new gas investment, and what this could mean for communities and the Great Barrier Reef.
1
Coal‑fired power stations kept running longer, with no definitive state‑wide closure dates in the roadmap.
2
New gas investment appears alongside acknowledgement of renewables, without paired closure timelines for coal units.
3
WWF‑Australia states this could mean more fires, floods, heatwaves, and additional mass bleaching events for the Reef during global bleaching periods.
4
Insurance premiums, disaster recovery costs, and pressures on food production are stated as rising with worsening extremes.
5
WWF‑Australia references World Heritage expectations tied to the 1.5°C limit to protect the Reef.
A
Certainty on coal closure dates is said to unlock clean‑energy investment and regional jobs.
B
Well‑sited renewables are noted as able to replace increasingly unreliable coal units while operating safely for nature.
C
Roadmap includes a solar program for 6,500 rental households; broader rental support is requested so all households share savings.
D
Rio Tinto notified a potential early retirement window for Gladstone Power Station (six years earlier than a 2035 reference), used by WWF‑Australia as a market signal.
“The future economic growth of Queensland depends on successfully managing the shift to clean energy sooner.”— Nicole Forrester, Chief Regenerative Officer, WWF‑Australia
“Queenslanders are already feeling the effects of climate change… this is a roadmap to more fires, floods and heatwaves, and more mass bleaching events for the Great Barrier Reef.”— Nicole Forrester
Intro: The roadmap for the next five years was announced by Treasurer David Janetzki. It confirms extended operation for state coal plants and additional gas. WWF‑Australia warns this approach could raise climate risks for communities and the Great Barrier Reef, while urging clear coal closure dates to attract investment.
Quick Check: What does the roadmap contain?
Q1. A solar support program for 6,500 rental households is included.
Q2. A state-wide, definitive coal closure schedule is provided in the roadmap.
Q3. WWF‑Australia states that keeping coal for longer risks further mass bleaching events for the Reef.
WWF‑Australia Press Release (full text)
Great Barrier Reef: UNESCO in‑danger discussion & bleaching record
Australia climate risk: heat and property losses by 2050
Ningaloo Reef bleaching during marine heatwaves
Queensland species threat briefing
Global coral bleaching event context
Reef restoration: sound‑guided settlement approach
Darwin LNG: methane leak scrutiny
North West Shelf extension decision
Queensland supercell & severe weather snapshot
Cyclone risk near Queensland
Murujuga World Heritage listing notes
Affordable EV options in Australia
Climate extremes & global warming rates
The section grouped the roadmap points, included quoted statements, and linked to the source and context pieces for readers.
