From policy to practice: Making sense of Queensland's renewable changes
The recent changes to renewables legislation in Queensland marks a switch in State Government priorities – from the pro-renewables Labor party to the LNP’s approach to a slower energy transition which puts more of an emphasis on gas and coal. The reforms aim to establish more assessment ‘gates’ for renewables developers to navigate, including more rigorous and earlier community and stakeholder engagement, mandatory social impact assessment and community benefit agreement requirements, and more robust State planning assessment. These changes have been positioned to give more of a “voice” to QLD’s regions, however, also provide an opportunity for renewable energy developments to demonstrate how they can deliver tangible, lasting benefits to the communities in which they operate.
This article takes a closer look at the some of mandatory requirements associated with Social Impact Assessments, Community Benefit Agreements and the stakeholder and community engagement that come part and parcel with these processes.
Social Impact Assessment
As part of the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) process, proactive community engagement is essential to ensure transparency, build trust, and gather meaningful feedback which informs the “impacts” the SIA captures. This engagement looks very similar to what most renewable developers were already doing as part of their company policies and social license to operate, including hosting community open days, information sessions, newsletter letterbox drops and establishing project websites and feedback channels. This engagement provides a platform for residents, stakeholders, and interest groups to understand the project, raise concerns, and contribute ideas and even more importantly demonstrates a desire to listen to these contributions on the part of developers.
There is a wealth of resources available to identify and reach the right people when it comes to meaningful engagement. Reliable sources of information include Council contacts, local social media networks such as Facebook community groups, relevant news articles, and insights from landowners and Councillors. These channels help pinpoint individuals and organisations who can provide valuable perspectives and ensure that engagement efforts are targeted and effective. Key stakeholders usually include local community groups, Fire and Emergency Services organisations, the Chamber of Commerce, local councillors, and State members of parliament. Adjoining landowners also form an important audience, given their proximity to the project. By combining formal consultation requirements with tailored outreach, engagement not only meets compliance obligations but can also strengthen relationships within the community, leading to more informed and balanced project outcomes.
Community Benefit Agreements
Onto the second piece of this new legislative puzzle – Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). Early engagement with Council is a critical step in ensuring that CBAs are well-targeted and aligned with local priorities. By involving Council from the outset, project teams can identify opportunities to direct funds or projects to the immediate community. This approach helps ensure tangible benefits for those most directly affected. Interestingly, Councils are increasingly adopting their own CBA guidelines, commonly using NSW’s approach of allocating a set dollar amount per megawatt of capacity. Councils like Western Downs and Isaac have adopted a minimum charge of $850 per Mega Watt for solar, $1,050 for wind, $150 for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and $850 for hydro.
While undoubtedly a substantial cost imposition for developers, the positive of having such a clear CBA rate is that developers can go into negotiations with Council with certainty around what is required in terms of financial contributions. When the QLD legislation was first adopted, a significant concern was that projects could be held up from lodgement through an inability for Council and the developer to reach and fair and reasonable agreement around the contents of a CBA. Many regional Councils may also have limited resources to guide or fully understand the process, which could further delay project lodgement. While State mediation provisions are built into the legislation, mediation requires agreement and cooperation from both parties to enter. A clear CBA guideline from Council addresses many of these concerns up-front.
Compliance through collaboration
In summary it is clear that the updated legislative framework in Queensland creates both opportunities and risks for renewable energy proponents. By mandating CBAs and SIAs (and formalising the engagement processes that come with them), the State is signalling that social licence is as critical as technical feasibility. The good news is that this has been the understanding and remit for many renewable energy proponents for many years now – so none of these processes are necessarily new ground for these operators. Success under the new rules will depend on early, transparent collaboration with Councils, landowners, and local groups, as well as careful alignment with State (and increasingly, Council) guidelines. Proponents can see these requirements as a tool to secure approvals, build trust amongst government and regional communities, and ultimately continue their strong contribution to Queensland’s renewable energy future.
If you’d like to discuss how the impact of these legislation changes on your projects, get in touch with our team below.
