Maranoa Regional Council discuss next steps for restricting location of renewable projects

Following community outcry over the wind farming industry expanding into the Maranoa region, councillors have discussed new planning rules to tighten future projects. Details here.

Wind farming was back up for debate in council chambers after a public meeting where residents and local leaders united to air their concerns over the growing industry.

The session provided landholders with information, especially what factors to consider when deciding whether to allow the installation of wind turbines on their properties.

Unlike the coal seam gas industry, wind farm companies must obtain the permission of landholders before building on their land.

Key points of consideration landholders were advised to keep in mind included visual amenity, contracts and lease agreements, safety and security, effects on land and rates and decommissioning of turbines.

At the September 20 ordinary meeting, mayor Tyson Golder told councillors he would like to further investigate ways to tighten regulation to restrict what land future wind farm projects can be built on.

“I’m extremely concerned about what’s happening with the wind industry as far as the protection for landowners,” Mr Golder said.

“I’m questioning whether it is the best energy resource for renewables and I think that we need to protect the community as much as possible.

“I would certainly be interested to see if we could in any way use our planning scheme to highlight any issues where we would like to see development.

“I’d like to move that a report be prepared for an upcoming council meeting providing options if available for planning advice for the process that could be followed for identifying areas/zones/sites that are not suitable for renewable energy projects and how council could go about capturing these (pieces of land) as part of our planning scheme.”

Councillors unanimously voted in favour of tabling a report addressing ways to protect land from future renewable developments with a 8-0 vote.

Originally published as Maranoa Regional Council discuss next steps for restricting location of renewable projects