Enhanced regulations, community engagement for renewables projects

• Miles Government delivering for nature, communities on renewable energy rollout
• New Wind code means stronger protections for landholders and environment
• Draft framework invites Queenslanders to shape planning laws for energy projects
• Co-designed Mandatory Code of Conduct to impose minimum standards

With Queensland emerging as a world leader in clean and green energy, the Miles Government is ensuring key stakeholders, including regional Queenslanders, can have their say on renewable energy projects in their local area.

Queensland is over halfway to our 2030 renewable energy target, with renewables generating over 27% of Queensland’s energy needs while avoiding 16 million tonnes of emissions each year and creating 9,000 jobs.

From over 1,000 conversations during the REZ readiness assessment for the anticipated Callide Renewable Energy Zone, locals show that regional communities want greater engagement, accessible advice, real choices, clearer information, protection of high-quality agricultural land and greater tangible benefits from the clean energy transition.

New frameworks are ensuring local knowledge shapes where and how the next phase of renewable energy projects are built to not only reach targets, but protect what matters to locals and deliver lasting benefits to communities.

In response to detailed consultation and advocacy from stakeholders, the updated Wind Code, released today, strengthens protections for communities and the environment while providing clarity and certainty for industry.

Key features of the updated code include:

• Enhanced protection for areas of high ecological and biodiversity value
• Safeguards for the Great Barrier Reef against construction impacts
• Identification and assessment of viable haulage routes from the outset
• Best practice acoustic criteria
• Clear rehabilitation requirements and expectations, and
• Investigation into the impact of construction on local workforces and accommodation.

The Miles Labor Government has also developed a draft Renewables Regulatory Framework for consultation from today.

The framework proposes to explore initiatives that improve outcomes through responsible development of renewable energy including:

• Building on the wind code review with stage 2 to consider other energy infrastructure such as solar
• An expanded role for the state environment agency including a review of identified Environmentally Relevant Activities
• Setting standards on lifecycle planning including financial assurance for decommissioning
• Expanding the role of the Energy and Water Ombudsman to include landholder and community complaints
• Increasing access to information about projects through an online portal, guidance materials, and independent analysis.

The Draft Renewables Regulatory Framework builds on existing initiatives underway to support strong and sustainable energy communities across Queensland including expanding the remit of the Gasfields Commission Queensland to establish Coexistence Queensland which was informed by advocacy from the Local Government Association of Queensland.

Coexistence Queensland will provide enhanced information, engagement and education services to the community on land access and coexistence issues across the resources and renewable energy sectors.

The Miles Labor Government has also been working with regional communities to co-design the nations first mandatory Code of Conduct.

The code will hold renewable energy developers to the highest standards and ensure they engage genuinely with communities, including First Nations groups and landholders, when developing, building and operating new generation and storage projects.

These important reforms will ensure Queenslanders keep on track to reap the jobs, new industrial growth and emissions reductions from renewable energy while importantly, being led by locals and their communities on how to deliver the clean, affordable, reliable energy needed to make that happen.

The Miles Labor Government is committed to delivering what matters for Queensland, as we unlock the opportunities of a clean energy future.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni: 

“The Miles Labor government is focussed on developing global leading practice in the rollout of renewable energy.

“Our commitment to regional communities is delivering local benefits like the $25.8 million community benefits fund for Central Queensland’s Callide REZ, and $35 million for the communities around the Borumba Pumped Hydro.

“The draft framework released today is about giving communities the leading voice in their own future.

“While the LNP opposition voted against provisions for stronger protections and engagement for local communities by opposing the Energy Act, we’re delivering what matters for communities hosting renewable energy projects.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner:

“The Miles Labor Government has listened to famers and landholders. We know that the input and engagement from local communities is key to a successful renewables transition.

“Communities need to be more in the lead for their local development, and renewables developers also need to be more engaged with what local communities want.  That’s why these changes are important.

“The more factual, correct information that is shared, the more likely it is that local communities will feel reassured and empowered.

“We listened to the community and are taking action, and we will continue to work and co-design with our regional communities to make sure they are heard and in the box seat.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works, Meaghan Scanlon: 

“The Miles Government is taking decisive action to enhance protections for Queensland communities by updating the Wind Farm Code (State Code 23) and its accompanying guidelines.

“Queensland has some of the world’s best wind resources that can be harnessed to power hundreds of thousands of homes with cleaner and cheaper energy.

“The opportunities presented by the clean energy transformation are huge, and the Miles Government is ensuring we have the right frameworks in place to make the most of them.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Innovation, Leanne Linard:

“The transition to renewables is critical for our iconic natural environment as we respond to the challenge of climate change and its impact on our communities and environment.

“Our Miles Labor Government has been actively listening to Queenslanders and recognise that local communities want to be directly engaged in proposed projects in their region. We have heard emerging concerns about potential gaps in the regulatory framework related to renewable energy development.

“The Miles Government is committed to ensuring that environmental impacts are rigorously assessed and managed during construction, operation and decommissioning of renewable energy developments.

“The release of the draft Renewables Regulatory Framework will enable the conversation around how best to do this.”

Quotes attributable to AgForce Chief Executive Officer, Michael Guerin: 

“As the global agricultural landscape evolves, producers must no longer be seen as mere participants in the sustainability conversation, but as crucial leaders.

“Agricultural producers have the knowledge, expertise, and direct engagement with ecosystems that position them as powerful drivers of environmental solutions and thinking.

“They have the capacity to transform not only their practices but also the way we think about the relationship between food production and environmental stewardship. 

“Being dealt in to these conversations is critical for strongest environmental and climate outcomes.” 

Quotes attributable to Queensland Farmers’ Federation Chief Executive Officer, Jo Sheppard: 

"There is no transmission or transition without regional and rural Australia.

“It is expected that landholders and regional communities take responsibility for hosting renewable energy and transmission infrastructure, therefore it is critical that the most meaningful shared community benefits for the regions are realised, leveraging opportunities and recognising and mitigating unintended negative consequences.

“Meaningful community consultation starts with genuine intent and commitment, is built on the formation of strong, respectful and effective relationships and underpinned by sound processes, frameworks and legislation to support, enhance and protect landholders and regional communities over the long term.

“QFF welcomes updates to the Code and the development of a draft Renewables Regulatory Framework to strengthen protections for communities and landholders particularly in relation to standards for infrastructure life cycle planning and financial assurance for decommissioning, along with workforce and accommodation pressures and demand on freight routes during construction."

Quotes attributed to Queensland Conservation Council Director, Dave Copeman:

“To give our environment the best chance at thriving we need to urgently transition our energy system away from polluting coal and gas, but equally as important, we need to make sure that we’re being responsible and building renewable energy projects in the right places.

“Today’s announcement of the updated wind code and a pathway forward for broader renewable energy planning reforms is much needed and sets Queensland on the right course to ensuring renewable energy development delivers benefits for nature and regional communities.

“The transformation of our energy system is an exciting opportunity to deliver benefits for nature and bring economic and employment opportunities to regional Queensland. To achieve this we need robust planning regulations and policy certainty from the Queensland government, so we call on all parties to support stronger regulations.”

Further information:

Public consultation on the draft Renewables Regulatory Framework is open until 6 December and is accessible on the Department of Energy and Climate website at https://www.energyandclimate.qld.gov.au/energy/community/community-feedback-on-the-energy-transformation

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