The State Government of Queensland in Australia has introduced changes to the Planning Act that will require stricter approval processes for large solar farms. It says this will ensure renewable energy projects go through the same approval steps as other major developments, thus creating a level playing field.
Under the new law introduced in the state parliament, large-scale solar farms will go through public review. It will require such projects to build a ‘social license’ by demonstrating how they plan to deliver long-term benefits for affected communities.
Project developers will be required to conduct a social impact assessment and enter a binding community benefit agreement with the local government before they lodge a development application. “Assessments will be undertaken at the outset—not after—before the development application is put in. This will enable communities to have a say about what is important to them,” stated the Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie.
Additionally, the state government will assume the role of an assessment manager for solar farms in Queensland, similar to the current system for wind farms. This will provide a one-stop shop with a clear set of rules, since the rules for solar farms are not consistent at present, considering that the state has 77 local governments.
Bleijie said that these changes to the Planning Act are aimed at bringing in more transparency and clarity for solar and wind farms.
“We are restoring a voice for regional communities and putting them back in the driver’s seat for projects in their backyard, just as we promised,” explained Bleijie, referring to previous Labor government policies that ‘shut out’ local communities and councils from the approvals process.
“These changes to the Planning Act mean renewable energy projects will have to engage early and authentically with communities and local governments and contribute a long-lasting legacy for their regions,” he added.
Queensland is now seeking public consultation on the proposed changes. Interested stakeholders can submit their feedback to the development assessment (DA) rules between May 6, 2025 and June 3, 2025.
Further details are available on the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning website.
Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) said there might be blanket retrospective application of the act, which may create uncertainty for current projects.
QREC Executive Officer Katie-Anne Mulder stated, “There is likely to be devil in the detail. As always, implementation will be key, and QREC looks forward to working constructively with the Government and the Local Government Association of Queensland to ensure that new Community Benefit Agreements are aligned with the Government’s ongoing commitment to affordable and reliable energy.”
Queensland targets a 50% renewable energy share by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035.
