Concern about climate change is increasing in regional communities, with bushfires, heatwaves and floods cited as key drivers, according to new polling of residents in Renewable Energy Zones (REZs).
The survey of 1,965 people across REZs in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, conducted by research firm 89 Degrees East and completed on 20 March, also found strong support for the shift to clean energy and widespread concern about energy prices.
About 32 per cent of respondents said they were more concerned about climate change than a year ago. Most attributed rising concern to recent extreme weather events.
Half of those surveyed (50 per cent) blamed energy company profiteering as the main cause of high power bills. Other factors included coal plant outages and international events, while 16 per cent said clean energy was responsible.
Support for renewable energy was strong, with 63 per cent backing the transition to clean energy and 17 per cent opposed.
Solar was identified as the most significant future energy source by 67 per cent of respondents, followed by onshore wind (43 per cent), offshore wind (41 per cent) and pumped hydro (39 per cent). Coal and gas were each nominated by 29 per cent, while nuclear trailed at 24 per cent.
Support for fossil fuels and nuclear was lower in some regions. In the Hunter, 30 per cent nominated coal as a significant future energy source, 25 per cent gas and 22 per cent nuclear. In the Illawarra, support stood at 25 per cent for coal, 28 per cent for gas and 26 per cent for nuclear. In Gippsland, gas was nominated by 31 per cent, coal by 28 per cent and nuclear by 24 per cent. In Central Queensland, solar had the highest level of support at 68 per cent, while nuclear was lowest at 25 per cent.
Farmers for Climate Action chief executive Verity Morgan-Schmidt said the findings showed a gap between perceived and actual support for clean energy in regional areas.
“Many people who support clean energy don’t realise they are in the majority,” she said. “Regional communities want practical solutions that address both cost of living pressures and environmental challenges.”
Walcha wool and beef farmer Warwick Fletcher said climate and energy issues were front of mind locally.
“People in the bush are very conscious of our environment,” he said. “This reinforces that the quiet majority want to improve the environment and support the local and state economy.”
Robert Mackenzie, a director at Macka’s Pastoral in the Gloucester/Hunter Valley, said sustainability was integral to farm management.
“We’re focused on running a more efficient and resilient business,” he said. “Improving soil health, animal performance and energy use delivers benefits for both the business and the environment.”
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