Navigating the Planning Changes for Renewable Energy Projects in Queensland

The Queensland Government has undertaken a comprehensive review and reform process to enhance community benefit and engagement for renewable projects. This includes introducing:

• A mandatory Code of Conduct for renewable energy developers currently being co-designed with key stakeholders
• New legislation requiring mandatory social impact assessments and community benefit agreements for renewable energy projects
• Requirements for large-scale solar farm developments, similar to windfarm developments, to complete an impact assessment, meaning development applications for renewable energy projects must be publicly notified and will be potentially subject to third party appeal.

Initial consultation on the framework in early 2025 and proposed legislative amendments attracted significant comment. Key findings include:

• Communities want greater involvement and more accessible information about proposed renewable energy projects
• Communities expect greater transparency
• Stronger environmental and social protections are needed
• A desire for consistent standards for all developers to foster higher standards for engagement with First Nations groups, landholders and local communities.

New requirements for renewable energy projects in Queensland

The Queensland Government has introduced new planning legislation, the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (PSICBOLA Act). The legislative changes commenced on 18 July 2025, and significantly alter how windfarms and large- scale solar farms (>1MW) will be assessed and managed.

Social impact assessment and community benefits agreement

Developers of large-scale solar farms (>1MW) or windfarms must undertake a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and enter into a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with local government before lodging a development application with the Queensland Government.

Public notification requirements

Large-scale solar farms and all windfarms will be 'impact assessable' and subject to public notification, giving rise to third party submission and appeal rights. All renewable energy projects will be required to follow public notification requirements applicable for renewable energy projects.

Assessment responsibilities

Large-scale solar farms will be assessed by the Queensland Government through the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) rather than local government, against the new State Code 26: Solar Farm Development. The code includes new requirements relating to the protection of agricultural land, workforce accommodation, infrastructure, community impact and decommissioning.

Windfarms will continue to be assessed by SARA against State Code 23: Windfarm Development. However, State Code 23 has been amended to include new or strengthened requirements related to the protection of agricultural land, workforce accommodation, infrastructure, community impact and decommissioning.

The changes apply to existing development applications for all large-scale solar farm or windfarm that were not decided as of 18 July 2025. As a result, these undecided development applications must be remade to the Queensland Government and are subject to the new community benefit system.

The driving force for change

The changes establish a consistent assessment process for solar farms and align the assessment process for large-scale solar farms with the process for windfarms.

The changes respond to an increasing community desire for greater understanding of the real impacts of large-scale renewable projects being established in their backyards and expectation of a consistent level of benefit and participation in projects. Community members are looking for genuine and transparent input into the planning, approvals, construction, operation and decommissioning phases of projects.

How the changes impact project developers

Managing increased complexity and risk during the transition

Under the new approach, SIAs must follow the Social Impact Assessment Guideline, March 2018 originally intended for resource projects.

Impacted local governments must review and assess SIAs so that they are meaningful and meet the guidelines, and enter into a CBA before a development application can be made to the Queensland Government for assessment.

This requirement brings forward the need for a range of technical studies (such as environment, traffic, noise, visual amenity, social impact) in the project planning stage. This means a greater investment of effort, time and budget early on. Previously an SIA may have been lodged at a later stage of a project, rather than in the first submission. The SIA will continue to be informed by engagement with stakeholders and community throughout the project lifecycle.

Under the new approach, a CBA will require extensive engagement, negotiation and inputs from specialists. These specialists can actively listen to the community and stakeholders and translate their needs, concerns and aspirations into a tangible plan, accepted by all parties, to submit as part of a development application to the Queensland Government.

Remaking existing undecided development applications

Any development application or change application (other than a minor change) for a windfarm or solar farm that has not been decided by 18 July 2025 will need to be remade (with an SIA and CBA in place).

Extending and tailoring community and stakeholder engagement

At a time when government policies are shifting and communities are more informed than ever before, careful and tailored communication and engagement is critical to the success of renewable energy projects.

Community engagement, SIA and CBA will need to be tailored, reflecting local community priorities during all phases of a project. This may include both short- and long-term activities to generate positive community benefit, such as:

• Funding local programs or projects
• Investing in community infrastructure or services
• Upskilling community members
• Supporting First Nations initiatives
• Providing opportunities for local community to participate in the workforce
• Identifying clear targets for local spend and investment
• Adding value to the community through sustainability initiatives
• Partnering with local businesses.

Engagement needs to be ongoing, genuine and transparent.