Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie puts Qld wind farm proposals on hold
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has used his extraordinary powers to temporarily put wind farm proposals on hold, as the LNP signals its intent to tighten renewable energy planning laws.
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Wind farm proposals across the state have been temporarily put on hold, as the newly-minted LNP government signals its intent to tighten renewable energy planning laws.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has used his extraordinary powers as state development minister to issue a proposed call in notice for a wind farm near Rockhampton, while directing his department to pause the assessment of three other projects.
And the temporary pause will serve to ensure communities impacted by the large-scale wind projects are consulted.
The move is in line with the LNP’s election commitment to tighten up planning laws and ensure renewable energy projects are assessed at a similar level of scrutiny as mining and agriculture.
Labor’s energy spokesman Lance McCallum yesterday said Mr Bleijie and the LNP have “turned their backs” on regional workers.
“With the stroke of the Deputy Premier’s pen three renewable energy projects now have an axe hanging over them, including the Wongalee Wind Farm which could benefit Copperstring,” he said.
“This project helps underpin CopperString and new critical minerals projects that are vital for jobs and the future prosperity of North Queensland.”
Mr McCallum said the “extraordinary move” shows the LNP is “fundamentally opposed” to a renewable energy future and publicly-owned CopperString.
“Calling in these projects will mean higher power prices and less jobs,” he said.
“This decision, made public while the Deputy Premier is on leave, is a slap in the face of regional workers and the future of renewable energy in this state.”
Regional communities have increasingly bristled against wind farm projects, with criticism the state’s planning framework allowed projects to built in environmentally sensitive areas with little input and benefits for residents.
Mr Bleijie on Friday issued a proposed “call in” notice for the Moonlight Range Wind Farm (88 turbines) northwest of Rockhampton to allow submissions to be made from community members, local government and stakeholders.
The consultation period will be open until March 14.
He has also issued directions to his Director-General to pause the assessment of three other wind farm applications to “allow proponents to demonstrate that the appropriate community consultation and impact assessment have been undertaken”.
Those projects include the Wongalee Renewable Energy Farm (175 turbines), Theodore Energy Development (170 turbines), and the Bungaban Renewable Energy Farm (204 turbines).
The pause is for four months.
The Wongalee and Bungaban projects are both by Fortescue company Windlab, while the Theodore proposal is by RWE Renewables.
“It’s only fair that the regions that play host to these large-scale new developments are consulted as part of any approval process,” Mr Bleijie said.
“All projects, whether they are renewable energy, agriculture or mining should be subject to the same rigorous approvals process which includes community consultation and we will amend the assessment process to deliver this certainty to Queenslanders.”
The former state government, hours before the election caretaker period kicked in, announced it had amended the state wind code and released a draft renewable regulatory framework for consultation.
The new government has relaunched the draft framework, with submissions to be made by February 1.
Queensland Renewable Energy Council chief executive Katie-Anne Mulder said the developers and investors affected by Mr Bleijie’s decision to get more information on the three projects “will work collaboratively with government to find a timely way forward”.
“Industry expects an open and transparent relationship with government including on ensuring a comprehensive, efficient, and predictable assessment framework that meets community expectations,” she said.
“The draft renewables regulatory framework makes very clear the importance of renewable energy development to Queensland being the drive for sustainable, reliable and affordable energy.”
Originally published as Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie puts Qld wind farm proposals on hold
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