Renewable Energy Resources

Under the new laws, changes for large-scale solar and wind farms include:

• Social Impact Assessments (SIA): Developers are now required to produce a report evaluating the potential effects of their project on the community, both positive and negative, and outline strategies for managing these impacts.
• Impact Assessable Approval Process: Renewable energy projects must undergo an "impact assessable" approval process. This involves notifying the public and providing an opportunity for individuals to submit feedback, either supporting or opposing the project. The process is overseen by the Queensland Government's State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
• Community Benefit Agreements (CBA): Before submitting a development application, developers must establish an agreement with the relevant local council(s), as identified in the Social Impact Assessment. This agreement specifies the benefits the community will receive for accommodating the renewable energy project.
• State Agency Assessment: Large-scale solar farms and all wind farms are assessed by the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) under the updated State Codes (Code 23 for wind farms and Code 26 for solar farms) and revised Planning Regulations.

Large-scale renewable energy developments refer to:

• All wind farms, regardless of size.
• Large-scale solar farms with 1 MW or more generation capacity or occupying two or more hectares of land.

1. The developer selects a site and prepares a Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
2. The local council reviews the SIA and, upon approval, works with the developer to establish a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA).
3. After finalising the CBA, the developer submits a formal application to the State Government. This process includes notifying the public and allowing community members to provide feedback through submissions.
4. The State Government evaluates the application and makes the final decision.
5. If the project is approved, construction begins on-site. The timeline for this process can vary significantly, ranging from several months to a number of years, depending on the specifics of the development. Once the project is completed and operational, the benefits outlined in the CBA are delivered to the local community. 

A Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) is a formal, legally binding agreement between a renewable energy developer and the local council. Its primary aim is to ensure that the community hosting a wind or large-scale solar farm receives tangible and measurable benefits if the project gains approval from the State Government.

What a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) May Include:

• Investment in critical infrastructure projects and upgrades.
• Financial support for improving community facilities or infrastructure, such as community halls, sportsgrounds, or centres.
• Sponsorship for local initiatives, events, or community groups.

What a CBA Does Not Cover:

• Payment of council rates for the renewable energy facility.
• Compensation or benefits provided to landholders hosting turbines or solar panels, including payments from developers to property owners.
• Obligations set by the State Government, such as environmental conditions or planning approvals.

The State Government’s process ensures that communities hosting large-scale renewable energy developments gain meaningful benefits through CBAs. These agreements are legally enforceable, with councils responsible for monitoring their implementation to ensure all commitments are fulfilled.

Before formally submitting a project to the State, developers must complete a Social Impact Assessment, which:

• Examines the potential positive and negative effects of the project on the local community.
• Involves consultation with residents, landholders, businesses, and community groups.
• Proposes strategies to mitigate or manage any adverse impact