NORTH Stradbroke Island could be Australia's first community to be fully renewable energy-powered if Oodgeroo candidate Claire Richardson's sustainable energy plan goes ahead.
Ms Richardson said it would provide lower cost power, energy supply certainty when the power connection to the mainland was lost, and return profits to local economic projects.
"I presented a scoping study for the Minjerribah community-owned renewable energy project to QYAC earlier this year and have provided a copy of the study to the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders in council," she said.
The study is jointly authored with local energy expert Trevor Berrill.
"Future expansion of the scheme to allow export of community solar energy to neighbouring Southern Moreton Bay Islands is also a real possibility.
"The intent is for this project to be owned, developed and operated by the local community, so I am delighted to have been able to provide technical support at no cost to help kick start the process," she said.
The proposal is to use renewable sources and innovative storage systems to make Straddie energy self-sufficient.
According to Ms Richardson solar opportunities have been in Quandamooka community plans since the 90's and the 2011 Economic Transition Strategy Indigenous Business Plan.
"In the longer run this initiative could extend to other innovations like electric vehicles," she said.
QYAC CEO Cameron Costello welcomed the proposal from Ms Richardson and Mr Berrill.
"Energy self-sufficiency is part of the Quandamooka strategic plan and would be a perfect fit with the objective of making Quandamooka country one of Australia's most eco-cultural sustainable places," he said.
Minjerribah Moorgumpin elder Norm Enoch said the proposal is consistent with achieving sustainable economic growth on Minjerribah and, as a whole-of-community project, could bring benefits to the entire community.
Ms Richardson said she had always focused on innovation, looking for opportunities to apply new techniques and sustainable practices in the Redlands.
"This the first of a number of exciting initiatives I will be proposing for the Oodgeroo electorate that will generate jobs in sustainable industries," she said.
