Energy Industry Jobs Plan consultation open for Gladstone Power Station

Today the CEO of the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA), David Shankey, announced that a consultation process has commenced regarding the closure of Gladstone Power Station. 

The consultation is part of the Community of Interest (COI) process, the formal process that helps the CEO decide whether the Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) is required to facilitate a smooth transition for affected employees and the regional workforce.  

The EIJP is a regulatory framework that requires employers to provide their employees with access to supports such as career planning, financial advice and training where requested, to assist them to prepare for and transition to new employment.  

Gladstone Power Station is operated by NRG Gladstone Operating Services Pty Ltd (NRGGOS) on behalf of an unincorporated joint venture. In 2025, it was announced by the owners that the station may be retired in March 2029. Decisions about power station closures are commercial matters for the owners of the station and are not made by NZEA. 

EIJP consultations at Gladstone Power Station will help NZEA understand:  

• how the closure may affect the local community, including employees of the power station and businesses in the supply chain 
• the transition supports already in place 
• what opportunities exist in the regional labour market to support worker transition.  

A consultation paper has been released to support participation.   

‘We welcome feedback from workers, businesses and members of the Central Queensland community to help us understand if the Energy Industry Jobs Plan framework is necessary to support a smooth and orderly transition for the closure of Gladstone Power Station,’ Mr Shankey said. 

‘We want to ensure that the regions most impacted by energy system changes are supported. We have been working with the Queensland Government, Gladstone Manufacturing Hub, AusIndustry, CQ University and Gladstone Regional Council to plan and coordinate industrial transition in the Central Queensland region.  

‘Gladstone’s energy system and heavy industry aren’t being replaced, they are evolving. Rio Tinto’s Yarwun refinery is decarbonising, and the Boyne Smelter has signed renewable power deals. New industry is arriving too, with Alpha HPA creating local jobs, and Yarwun Hydrogen Calcination pilot plant under construction. 

‘These are positive developments in the region,’ concluded Mr Shankey.   

As part of the public consultation, NZEA will engage directly with key stakeholders in Gladstone and Central Queensland, including the power station owners, the Queensland government, Gladstone Regional Council, supply chain businesses, unions, employer organisations, local employers, community groups and others.   

If the consultation process indicates the Energy Industry Jobs Plan is needed to support an orderly transition for the Gladstone Power Station closure, Mr Shankey will apply to the Fair Work Commission, which will ultimately determine if the EIJP should be put in place and which employers are included.  

David Shankey and NZEA representatives will be visiting the region in early September to meet with stakeholders and businesses to discuss the impact of the Gladstone Power Station closure, whether workers have access to the supports they need and economic opportunities in the region, including the capacity of local employers to offer jobs to transitioning workers.  

How can I participate?  

The consultation paper outlines the key issues NZEA is seeking feedback on, including how the closure may impact the community, what support services are already available, and what job opportunities exist in the region across different occupations and skill levels.   

Submissions can be provided via our have your say platform. 

When do submissions close?  

Submissions close at 5 pm AEST on 25 September 2026. For questions, contact the Energy Industry Jobs Plan team at eijp@nzea.gov.au.  

NZEA in Central Queensland 

Further information on how NZEA is supporting Central Queensland’s industrial transition, including NZEA’s Supply Chain Mapping project, can be found on our website. 

Media enquiries  

media@nzea.gov.au / 0409 458 626