Partnering with the community

We are committed to supporting local communities and safeguarding the environment. Private Energy Partners proposes to develop the Northern Quartz Campus in a way that delivers meaningful benefits to the local area, while minimising impacts.

Our focus includes creating jobs and business opportunities for locals, protecting wildlife and native vegetation, addressing fire hazards, weeds and pests, reducing noise and visual disturbance, and minimising the impact of construction traffic on local roads.

We will engage with the local community during the development of the Northern Quartz Campus projects, including providing regular project updates.

Social Impact Assessment

Private Energy Partners and Solquartz have commissioned Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) for our proposed Townsville region projects:

• Supernode North Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
• Metallurgical silicon production facility
• Lansdown Solar North
• Lansdown Solar West

The SIAs, which include a voluntary regional SIA and project-specific SIAs, are being undertaken by independent consultants to consider the potential impacts and benefits of our projects to nearby communities. This includes assessing changes to amenity, local values, employment, housing, wellbeing, and business opportunities. Further information on Queensland’s SIA process is available in the Queensland Government’s Social Impact Assessment Guideline 2025.

Regional SIA

The Regional SIA is now finalised and includes feedback from 30 Woodstock residents as well as Traditional Owners, community organisations, Townsville City Council, and government agencies. This feedback will also be incorporated into individual project-specific SIAs. Key findings are outlined in the Regional SIA overview.

Supernode North BESS SIA

Supernode North BESS SIA was completed in March 2026 and includes feedback from Woodstock community members, Traditional Owners, State and Local Government representatives, businesses and community organisations.

The SIA informed the negotiation of our Supernode North BESS Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) with Townsville City Council, which was finalised and executed in April. The Supernode North CBA includes our proposed Community Partnership Program, and will ensure benefits are shared locally and deliver lasting value for the Townsville region and Woodstock area.

You can find out more about Community Benefit Agreements on the Queensland Government website.

The Supernode North BESS SIA and CBA, along with the project’s Development Application (DA), were submitted to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) in late April.

These documents will be published on SARA’s website once the DA has been accepted as properly made.

Lansdown Solar North and Lansdown Solar West

Individual SIAs for our Townsville solar projects are underway. The community is invited to share their views about the potential impacts and benefits of these projects at a SIA workshop, which will be facilitated by independent consultants.

Venue: Woodstock Sport and Recreation Club

Date: Tuesday 9 June 2026

Time: 4pm for 4:30pm start until 7pm

Format: First-up you’ll hear about the solar projects from the project team, before the independent SIA team seeks input to the SIA.

RSVP: Register to attend before Wednesday 3 June by contacting Roundtable Engagement and Communications at community@roundtablecomms.com.au or 0475 065 105.

Once finalised, the project-specific SIA will inform the negotiation of project-specific CBAs with Townsville City Council.

Metallurgical silicon production facility

The voluntary SIA for the metallurgical silicon production facility is due to commence in mid to late 2026. This SIA will inform our proposed voluntary CBA with Townsville City Council.