Local economic opportunities network

The local economic opportunities network (LEO network) aims to assist regional councils, industry and communities with industry development and economic growth opportunities.

The LEO network is part of the State Development Regional Office Network and works with key stakeholders to identify, collect and discuss local opportunities and distribute information on government programs and services.

Programs and support

There are programs and support initiatives available for Queensland local governments, businesses and industry.

Business performance, sustainability and energy efficiency

  • Private Sector Pathways Program provides funding to Queensland small to medium enterprises and scaleups to help them find solutions to corporate challenges.
  • ecoBiz assists small to medium sized businesses develop an action plan to improve their resource efficiency and environmental sustainability and reduce operational costs.
  • ESG self-assessment tool helps businesses to understand their current environmental, social and governance (ESG) position, providing a summary report with suggested next steps.
  • CSIRO Kick-Start provides matched funding for start-ups and small to medium enterprises to support: research of a new idea with commercial potential; development of a novel or improved product or process; testing for a novel product or material.
  • Climate Change Risk Management Tool for Small Businesses contains information on climate change, the related risks, and checklists to assess these risks.
  • Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme provides benefits for households and small businesses to help with purchase costs of small-scale renewable energy system (solar, wind or hydro) or eligible hot water system.
  • Energy Efficiency Council's tax incentives guide outlines tax incentives available to Australian businesses that can be leveraged to improve energy performance.
  • Becoming an environmentally friendly business guide outlines the benefits and process for ensuring your business is environmentally friendly, including opportunities to reduce waste and tips for saving energy and lowering energy costs.
  • Building Blocks of ESG is a comprehensive 2 part webinar being held on 19 and 26 March 2025, designed to provide information on how to navigate the evolving landscape of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) principles and requirements.
  • Industry Growth Program supports businesses to undertake the steps necessary to establish the commercialise viability of an innovative product, process or service, including steps to undertake feasibility and proof-of-concept through to prototyping.
  • Business events calendar lists events (online and in-person) that provide advice and assistance to Queensland businesses.
  • Business performance assessment tools provide interactive tools to analyse current business processes and find opportunities to improve business performance.
  • Mentoring for Growth provides free mentoring sessions with experienced business mentors.
  • Business Queensland provides information on starting, growing and operating a business in Queensland.

Agriculture and forestry

  • Climate-Smart Agriculture Program aims to support farmers have better access to knowledge and skills relating to best practice climate-smart sustainable agriculture approaches. Applications close 31 March 2025.
  • Queensland Smart Farms supports AgTech providers, producers and supply chain businesses to trial technology and accelerate development, testing and adoption through use of available smart farms.
  • Support Plantation Establishment program supports the establishment of new long-rotation softwood and hardwood plantation forests in Australia and assists the sector in responding to the projected growth in demand for domestically sourced timber resources. Applications close 8 May 2025.
  • Agrifutures Australia RD&E Investment provides funding for organisations to help conduct research that will improve the sustainability and profitability of new and established rural industries.
  • Farm Management Grants offer primary producers a 50% rebate on the cost of eligible professional advice to produce a Farm Business Resilience Plan for their property.
  • Drought Preparedness Grants Program assists primary producers to undertake on-farm capital improvements to improve drought preparedness.
  • Sustainability Loan provides loans for primary producers and commercial fishers to help them improve their productivity and sustainability.
  • Get Your Business CN30 Ready outlines how meat operators can take action towards carbon neutrality.
  • Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit assists landholders reflect on the various potential benefits and risks associated with on-farm renewable development, as they respond to and negotiate with energy industry representatives about accessing land and developing renewable energy projects.
  • Energy savings ideas for agricultural businesses guide provides energy savings advice and tips to reduce energy use and save costs.

Biomedical

Clean energy projects and technological developments

  • Advancing Renewables Program  supports development, demonstration and pre-commercial deployment projects including opportunities to optimise the transition to renewable electricity, commercialise clean hydrogen and support the transition to low emissions metals. The Community Batteries Funding Round 2 is now open until 30 April 2025.
  • Battery Breakthrough Initiative aims to promote the development of battery manufacturing capabilities in Australia. View the consultation paper which will inform the program design.
  • Industry Growth Program and Advisory Service supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas including renewables and low emissions technologies.
  • National Reconstruction Fund provides debt finance, equity finance and guarantees for businesses with compelling proposals in priority areas including renewables and low emissions technologies.
  • National Industrial Transformation Program will support the reduction of scope 1 and scope 2 emissions at existing or planned industrial facilities across Australia, including support for technological/commercial readiness of renewable energy/energy efficiency/electrification technologies; upskilling of industrial workforce in new decarbonised activities; technology demonstration, collaboration and knowledge sharing across industry and regions.
  • Solar Sunshot supports innovative solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facilities in Australia across the solar supply chain.
  • Hydrogen Headstart Round 2 will support large-scale renewable hydrogen production projects. Form to register interest is now available.
  • Regional Microgrids Program supports the development and deployment of microgrid technologies across regional and remote communities in Australia.
  • Research and Development Tax Incentive helps companies innovate and grow by offsetting some of the costs of eligible research and development.
  • Product Stewardship for Oil Program provides financial benefit for businesses that recycle oil or use recycled oil in their operations.
  • Guarantee of Origin scheme aims to provide a mechanism to track and verify emissions associated with hydrogen and other products made in Australia; and provide an enduring mechanism for renewable electricity certification which could support a variety of renewable energy claims.
  • Emissions Reduction Fund earn Australian carbon credit units for every tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent stored or avoided through adopting new practices and technologies.
  • Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme offers landholders, communities and businesses the opportunity to run projects that avoid the release of greenhouse gas emissions or remove and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
  • Clean Energy Innovation Fund is a specialist climate tech venture capital investor, focused on emerging technologies and businesses with the potential for growth.

Digital

  • Digital Solutions Program helps small businesses to adapt and flourish through the adoption of digital business tools that can improve productivity, effectiveness, and aid business growth.
  • Cyber security online resources are available addressing information security management and the new edition of ISO 27001, the internationally used system for keeping businesses cyber secure.
  • Cyber Safety Webinar Series provides an overview of business vulnerabilities to online security, with practical strategies to secure data and effectively plan and respond if a cyber attack occurs. Online series commences 8 May 2025.

Disaster relief

Local government

  • Community Energy Upgrades Fund Program will provide co-funding for energy upgrades at existing local government facilities, to help local governments make their facilities more energy efficient, cut their emissions and reduce their energy bills. Round 2 closes 13 June 2025.
  • Let’s Get it Sorted Partnership Program provides funding for groups of geographically aligned Queensland councils, or lead councils for a Queensland region, to engage a behaviour change coordinator to develop and deliver waste education and behaviour change intervention activities for households.
  • Stronger Communities Programme provides up to $20,000 of funding to deliver small infrastructure projects that provide social benefits for local communities. Closes 28 March 2025.
  • Snapshot Climate tool provides greenhouse gas emissions profiles for Australian councils (local government areas), regions, federal electorates, states and territories which are free to download.

Manufacturing

  • ESG communication and compliance masterclass online webinar on 3 April 2025 will outline how to effectively communicate your sustainability effort to win new business, build your brand or attract new customers and employees.
  • Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant Program Round 2 provides up to $50,000 for Queensland-based manufacturers to improve energy efficiency measures and technology, reduce energy usage, costs and emissions. Open until 30 June 2025 or until all funding is allocated.
  • Manufacturing Sustainability Benchmark Program helps manufacturers understand their sustainability progress with an online benchmark assessment. The report provides detailed results and recommended actions for improvement.
  • Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program Round 4 supports eligible manufacturing small to medium enterprises in the Cairns, Townsville, Central Queensland, Mackay and the Gold Coast to become more productive, build advanced manufacturing capabilities and create the jobs of the future through: technology adoption; skills and training; business development; and advanced robotic manufacturing hub services. Open until 30 June 2025, or until all funding is allocated.
  • Defence Industry Development Grants Program will fund small to medium enterprises to build Australia’s sovereign capability, global competitiveness, technical superiority and national security.
  • Certain Inputs to Manufacture reduce importing costs for Australian manufacturers of eligible goods.

Minerals and resources sector

Precincts and infrastructure

  • Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program offers grants to deliver infrastructure projects within regional precincts in partnership with local stakeholders to benefit regional communities, with intended outcomes including, but not limited to, transitioning to a net zero economy or supporting Australia’s emission reduction goals.

Purchasing renewable energy

  • Council & Business PPA Training Program provides free training on renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) contracts, for businesses and councils looking at purchasing renewable energy. Registration is now open for Buyer’s Bootcamp 27-28 May 2025.

Social Enterprise

Tourism

Transport

Queensland Government initiatives and resources

Search Queensland Government initiatives and strategies.

Contact the LEO network

Get in touch with your LEO network team member at the State Development regional offices to learn about the economic opportunities available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The LEO network can:

    • be a key point of contact within government for renewable energy, decarbonisation and other regional opportunities
    • ensure regional stakeholders are kept informed on current government programs, policies and other initiatives
    • provide a mechanism to engage with the regions on key issues and coordinate potential whole of government support
    • facilitate communication between local stakeholders, agencies and all tiers of government
    • identify resources, policy changes and regulatory frameworks required to seize opportunities and manage risks
    • identify major projects and diversification opportunities and provide investment facilitation and local supply chain support

  • Decarbonisation is the process of significantly reducing or eliminating carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. This includes the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from energy production, and from other activities undertaken by communities, businesses and households.

  • Historically, Queensland has relied on carbon-based industries, such as coal mining and coal-fired power stations as a source of electricity generation, employment and trade. Queensland’s economy is now shifting to diversify our energy mix and meet the challenges presented by climate related impacts.

    Decarbonisation is a global economic force and capturing the associated opportunities presents a new wave of economic growth for the state. Queensland’s expertise in mining, and rich, natural resources which are essential to developing a global low-emissions economy, have driven considerable investment interest. Increased global demand for critical minerals, hydrogen exports and biofuels production can be leveraged to grow regional economies.

  • The LEO network is part of existing departmental delivery for regional offices and not subject to additional resources or discrete funding arrangements.

    It will improve whole of government coordination and information dissemination relating to industry and regional development. The network can assist you by navigating the support available and providing you with the most relevant information.

  • This webpage is updated regularly as new information becomes available, providing details of current funding programs, government initiatives and case studies.  In addition the LEO network officer for your region can provide you with specific support to navigate the information available.

Further resources

Decarbonisation stories in Queensland

Read about the work already underway on our news page.

Powering up jobs in Queensland's renewable energy industry
Sep 18, 2024
Queensland’s next wave of economic growth lies in seizing the opportunities from the world’s shift to clean energy. Skilled workers are key to delivering our state’s energy transformation.
Three businesses working to achieve Queensland’s renewable energy targets
Jul 26, 2024
With Queensland making inroads to achieving its ambitious 70% renewable energy target by 2032 and saving 80% of waste from entering landfill by 2030, many industries and businesses are forging ahead to help reach these goals.
How batteries produced in Queensland will charge-up our renewable energy grid
Feb 22, 2024
Batteries will play a key role in Queensland’s renewable energy future, and we’re investing in the battery industry to charge-up our power grid, our economy and new jobs for Queenslanders.

Last updated: 20 Mar 2025