Renewable energy projects face new scrutiny from South Burnett council
The South Burnett Regional Council is advocating for a temporary halt on large-scale renewable energy projects until stringent conditions are met to protect the environment, community, and agricultural land.
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The South Burnett Regional Council is calling for a comprehensive strategy to manage the implementation of renewable energy projects in the region.
Mayor Kathy Duff put forth a motion seeking the support of fellow councillors to establish a definitive stance on the future rollout of renewable energy initiatives.
Ms Duff emphasised the importance of the motion, which has also been circulated among the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) to foster a unified approach when engaging with State and Federal Governments.
The WBBROC encompasses the Councils of North Burnett, South Burnett, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Gympie, and works in collaboration with Bundaberg Regional Council.
• Why South Burnett is fast becoming the renewable powerhouse of QLD
The motion proposes a moratorium on all large-scale renewable projects, including wind, solar, battery energy storage systems, pumped hydro, and related transmission projects until several stringent conditions are met:
1. Securement of a bond from the project’s inception to cover decommissioning and rehabilitation costs.
2. Implementation of regulations to safeguard threatened and endangered species.
3. Requirement for large-scale renewable projects to undergo full state government approval processes, being made impact-assessable rather than code-assessable.
4. Establishment of a land access framework to protect the environment, cultural heritage, existing land users, and local infrastructure.
5. Negotiation to ensure minimal impact on existing ratepayers.
6. Prohibition of large-scale renewable projects on prime agricultural land to protect Australia’s food security, in alignment with the Paris Agreement Article 2 (1) (b).
7. Enforcement of equivalent regulations for renewable projects as those governing agriculture and mining.
8. Inclusion of large-scale renewable projects as a trigger under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
9. Creation of a mandatory code of conduct for renewable energy sector interactions with affected communities, including mandatory notification of local governments about potential projects.
10. Requirement for developers of large-scale renewable projects to indemnify neighbouring landowners against public liability risks.
11. Integration of mechanisms within local government planning schemes to allow councils to impose conditions that protect local roads, infrastructure, and key assets.
Ms Duff expressed significant concerns regarding the current impact of renewable projects on the community.
“Renewable projects are already impacting our communities and causing a lot of concern,” Ms Duff said.
“There needs to be proper planning and guidelines put in place to ensure that they are in places that have minimal impact on our region’s environment and natural beauty, to protect our communities and particularly our agricultural industries that provide our food and fibre.”
In November 2023, a 673ha solar farm at Tarameo, near Blackbutt in the South Burnett, was given the green light by South Burnett council, in a vote that was unanimous except for Ms Duff who voted against it.
Tumuruu Solar said about 10 per cent of the project cost would be injected into the local community during the year-long construction.
The company said it estimated the construction would support up to 100 jobs over the 12-18 months and local residents would have the opportunity to work on the project.
The construction start date is yet to be confirmed but is expected to commence this year.
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