110 more renewable projects in firing line as wind farm scuttled

More than 100 other renewables could be in the crosshairs of the Queensland government after it axed a billion-dollar wind farm.

A render of the Moonlight Range project. Picture: Greenleaf Renewables

More than 100 renewable energy projects across Queensland could end up in the crosshairs of laws used to justify cancelling a major $1bn wind farm project.

An unapologetic Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie said he would happily use his powers to cancel any project that did not meet community expectations.

The renewable energy industry was rocked by Mr Bleijie’s decision to cancel the $1bn, 88-turbine Moonlight Range wind farm by Greenleaf Renewables near Rockhampton, despite the project receiving conditional approval under the previous Labor government.

It is expected new laws — introduced by the government last month — could impact 110 renewable projects including solar and wind as it can be applied retrospectively according to the Queensland Renewable Energy Council.

Mr Bleijie told 4BC radio he was fulfilling an election promise to fix “Labor’s failed planning laws” around renewables.

“These things have been popping up all throughout regional and rural Queensland without any community consultation, and we made an election commitment we would change laws, make the laws impact accessible,” he said.

“Just like a mining company or a farmer on their land, they have to apply for various things, particularly in the farming sector and gas sector impact assessable applications for mandatory community consultation.

“So we have implemented that.”

He said he had also taken three renewable projects off pause after community consultation processes.

Premier David Crisafulli (right) with Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie

“I have unpaused those three now because the community journey consultants are satisfied that the developers and the companies did the right thing by the community and took the community on a journey,” he said.

“I think you’re going to find over across Queensland where communities back these and councils back them. And there are areas in Queensland where communities want these investments and want the councils and the council support them, then they’re going to go through

“All we’ve done, or we’re asking them through our new legislation, is you’ve got to take the community on a journey.”

The laws subject renewable energy developments to more rigorous scrutiny through mandatory community and local government consultation, while granting third parties the right to appeal decisions.

QREC, a member organisation for renewable energy developers, criticised the new laws in its current form and warned 66,000MW worth of proposed projects — enough to power more than two million homes — could be in jeopardy.

QREC warmed the laws created a high level of uncertainty, likely to undermine private-sector confidence.

A key issue was the requirement for a social impact assessment and community benefit agreement before lodging a development application.

QREC chief executive Katie-Ann Mulder said: “In terms of the Bill’s intent, we support it, it’s what we expect for any large-scale project.

“Where it draws concern is the consultation, the transitionals. Any change is a cost (to the developer) and it takes time to get across.”

Mr Bleijie was unapologetic, asserting he would put communities first as the LNP had promised.

“Unlike Labor’s renewables rush, we will consult with local communities who host these large scale developments,” he said.

“Industries like agriculture and mining already develop social licence with community at the approval stage and that’s what we are implementing for renewables, as we promised.”

In a statement, Greenleaf Renewables said it disagreed with Mr Bleijie’s decision.

“We are extremely disappointed by the outcome, particularly given the project’s potential to contribute significantly to Queensland’s regional economic development and near-term energy needs,” the statement said.

“We are also disappointed for the many local landholders, regional businesses and community groups that supported our project, and want to see it progress.

“Greenleaf respectfully disagrees with several of the justifications outlined in the decision notice, which are cited as the reasons for decision by (Mr Bleijie).”Greenleaf Renewables said it had conducted “thoughtful and transparent community and stakeholder engagement with the local communities and key stakeholders”.

More than 500 submissions were made to a parliamentary inquiry into the proposed planning laws, with public hearings set to begin next week.

A broad range of stakeholders warned the draft legislation could drive up costs and delay renewable energy projects, potentially derailing the state’s clean energy targets and deterring investment.

Local councils, including Gladstone and Central Highlands, opposed the early execution of CBAs and feared the changes would sideline local government, making the State Assessment and Referral Agency the lead authority on major projects.

Other stakeholders, including WindLab, Ark Energy, and Tilt Renewables, raised concerns over duplication and inefficiency between state and local government processes.