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Nicho Hynes has capped off a remarkable maiden season at Cronulla with a record Dally M haul after claiming the NRL's top gong in dominant fashion.

Hynes on Wednesday night became the clear star of rugby league's night of nights, with the Cronulla halfback finishing on a record 38 points.

Three points behind Ben Hunt at the halfway mark of the season, the Sharks star stormed home to beat out James Tedesco by five points while Hunt finished third.

In doing so, he joined the likes of Johnathan Thurston as just the fifth player in history to claim the award in his first season at a new club.

"I can hand on heart say I came here not expecting anything at all.

"I can't believe it. It's bloody crazy. I am pinching myself.

"To have this around my neck. I frothed Johnathan Thurston growing up, Andrew Johns.

"And now I am alongside them. It's unbelievable."

Sydney Roosters star Raecene McGregor claimed her maiden women's Dally M, beating out Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken.

Rising Newcastle star Jesse Southwell was named the NRLW rookie of the year, while Sydney Roosters coach John Strange was the top mentor.

Todd Payten claimed the major men's coaching gong, while his second-rower Jeremiah Nanai was the rookie of the year after scoring 17 tries for North Queensland.

Penrith's Isaah Yeo was named captain of the year, headlining three Panthers in the NRL's Dally M team of the year.

Hynes was also awarded the Provan Summons spirit of NRL award for his work in raising awareness for mental health following his post-match interview after Paul Green's death.

But it is the top gong he will remember most, given it was his first season as a full-time starter after spending years in the rugby league wilderness before being given a chance at Melbourne.

Named as Ryan Papenhuyzen's replacement last year when the Storm fullback went down with injury, Hynes was an instant star in the NRL.

A playmaker as a junior, Craig Fitzgibbon placed his faith in the 26-year-old as one of his first signings to lead the Sharks into the next era as No.7.

He was instantly rewarded with Hynes setting up 26 tries in a stellar season and becoming the first Shark to win the award since Preston Campbell in 2001.

And he did it all with his mother as his date for the night, admitting she had almost brought him to tears.

"I almost had a little tear come down (during my speech). We have been through a hell of a lot," he said.

"Everything I do is for her, and obviously my dad too ... But mum has had a tougher life.

"To bring her with me and see her smile.

"I saw her (getting emotional), but I couldn't keep looking otherwise I would have got too emotional."

DALLY M HONOUR ROLE:

MEN:

Player of the year: Nicho Hynes

Rookie: Jeremiah Nanai

Captain: Isaah Yeo

TEAM OF THE YEAR:

James Tedesco, Joseph Sua'ali'i, Joseph Manu, Valentine Holmes, Alex Johnston, Cameron Munster, Nicho Hynes, Joseph Tapine, Api Koroisau, Payne Haas, Viliame Kikau, Jeremiah Nanai, Isaah Yeo. Coach: Todd Payten.

WOMEN:

Player of the year: Raecene McGregor

Rookie: Jesse Southwell

Captain: Isabelle Kelly

NRLW TEAM OF THE YEAR:

Sam Bremner, Teagan Berry, Isabeele Kelly, Jessica Sergis, Jaime Champan, Tarryn Aiken, Raecene McGregor, Caitlan Johnston, Keeley Davis, Millie Boyle, Keilee Joseph, Olivia Kernick, Simaima Taufa. Coach: John Strange.

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Queensland's shift to renewables at the expense of fossil fuels under an ambitious energy plan by 2035 has been lauded by stakeholders across Australia as modernising the state's energy sector.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the $62 billion Queensland energy and jobs plan at the CEDA State of the State address on Wednesday.

It hinges on $62 billion-worth of investment in both the public and private sectors to 2035, and includes a $4 billion commitment by the state government over the next four years.

At the forefront of their targets is 70 per cent of Queensland's energy supply from renewables by 2032, and 80 per cent by 2035.

A new dam near Mackay will be constructed to supply half of Queensland's energy with the premier labelling it "the battery of the north."

Another, that will deliver two gigawatts of 24-hour storage, is to be constructed west of Gympie with completion slated for 2030.

Following Ms Palaszcuk's address, the Queensland Conservation Council said the 10-year energy plan is a turning point for the state's energy sector.

"This plan provides the certainty that energy developers and regional industry needs to start planning their clean energy future," spokesperson Maggie Mckeown said.

Regional Queensland is the big winner with 100,000 new jobs expected in the state by 2040, the majority of which will be in regional areas.

The premier said 95 per cent of investment would be in regional Queensland with the state's publicly-owned coal-fired power stations - which are all in regional settings - to stop reliance on burning coal by 2035.

"The Queensland way of life and natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree and the Wet Tropics are vulnerable to climate change, fuelled by burning coal and gas," Australian Conservation Fund chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said.

"These plans will help combat climate change and give business and workers the confidence they crave and put Queensland on the way to becoming a clean energy superpower."

Non-for-profit group Solar Citizens said early investment in two new pumped hydros at the west of Gympie and Mackay provides energy security.

"Pumped hydro is a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to powering the State with 100 per cent clean energy, but like all projects we need to make sure that the sites selected are the least impactful to the environment and our waterways," deputy director Stephanie Gray said.

But opposition MP Pat Weir noted there remains some queries with the plan.

"Queenslander's would still have a few questions to ask," he said,

"(They) will want to see some KPIs, they will want to see a funding model, and they would like to see a guarantee of affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity supply."

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The competition watchdog will keep a close eye on service stations and petrol suppliers to ensure Australians are not treated as "mugs", Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.

Drivers already face soaring prices at the bowser but there are fears they could spike more than 20 cents a litre as the fuel excise cut, which has been in place for the past six months, ends on Wednesday night.

Dr Chalmers said he spoke with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Wednesday morning.

"I have asked the chair of the ACCC to maximise their role in the petrol market to make sure servos and suppliers are not treating Australians as mugs," Dr Chalmers told reporters in Canberra.

He said there were hundreds of millions of litres of lower excise petrol in storage which should mean prices do not immediately spike.

"The ACCC will be particularly attentive to the fact that it was bought under the cheaper price ... there should not be an automatic uptick," he said.

Dr Chalmers reiterated the excise holiday could not continue as the government could not afford the $6 billion a year cost.

"We can't afford to fund every single piece of cost of living relief indefinitely."

The NRMA's Peter Khoury is urging oil companies to cut fuel prices, saying oil has plummeted below $US100 a barrel, almost on par with pre-pandemic pricing and wholesale prices have also dropped more than 50c per litre since June.

"Despite falling global prices and the full fuel excise tax not yet reinstated, prices in Sydney are approaching $2 per litre, meaning motorists are paying much more for fuel than they should be in the lead up to the October long weekend, he said on Wednesday.

"We need to see a correction immediately."

The cut to the fuel excise was put in place by the former coalition government for six months to help Australians struggling with the cost of living and soaring prices at the bowser due to the war in Ukraine.

Labor said it would continue with the six-month time frame without extension due to pressures on the budget.

The head of the Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association said the situation had changed from when prices spiked after Russia invaded Ukraine.

"If ever there was a time where you'd be talking about reinstalling the excise, it's probably about now," Mark McKenzie told the ABC.

"Recessionary pressures are actually pushing the global price down.

"We're likely to see prices after the excise on an average basis ... lower than they were before the excise was cut in March."

Mike Roberts, from analysts Your Financial Wellness, said low-income earners would be particularly affected by the return of the full excise rate.

"Our research shows the lowest income group spends on average three times as much of their income on transport costs than the average person," Mr Roberts said.

"We also found households that spend more than 10 per cent of their income on transport are most likely to be financially stressed."

Motorists are advised to use price monitoring websites and apps, modify their driving style to save on fuel use, and carefully consider whether vouchers for major retailers offer value for money.

© AAP 2022