9 August, 2023
Government reviewing wind farm developments
Greater transparency and community consultation could become the norm for wind farm developments as the Queensland Government is undertaking a review of the requirements for their construction.
The review of the Wind Farm Code (State Code 23) and its accompanying guidelines will aim to build greater community and industry confidence in clean energy projects.
State Code 23 already includes requirements aimed at ensuring wind farms are designed and operated to minimise adverse impacts on the natural environment, ecological processes, visual amenity, air services, transport networks and noise levels.
The Wind Farm Code and accompanying guidelines will be reviewed to:
•Better protect areas of high ecological and biodiversity value
•Protect the Great Barrier Reef from the impact of construction
•Identify and assess viable haulage routes upfront
•Bring acoustic criteria into line with current best practice approaches
•Highlight rehabilitation requirements and expectations; and
•Require proponents to investigate the impact their construction will have on local workforces and accommodation
•The State Code guideline will be amended to reflect these changes and to provide clarity on how to frame and support applications, to align with the code.
Under Queensland’s current planning laws, the State Government already assesses all wind farm applications through its State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
Any changes around the regulations and guidelines regarding wind farms will be of particular interest to residents of East Greenmount and Ramsay, some of whom have banded together in an effort to stop a planned wind farm in their area.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said to support progress in renewable energy projects such as wind farms, clear and predictable regulatory frameworks are needed.
“We have listened to the community, and worked with other government agencies, local councils and stakeholders to establish the issues to be addressed in the review,” he said.
“Wind farms in Queensland already undergo a thorough assessment process.
“This review is designed to strengthen those protections for communities and the environment, while creating certainty and clarity for industry with clearer benchmarks for managing environmental and construction impacts.”
The proposed changes are open for community consultation now and will be open until Monday, 4 September.
