Updates to State code 23: Wind farm development and the associated planning guidance

The Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works is reviewing how the planning framework regulates renewable energy development. Given the multifaceted nature of the planning framework, the review is looking at strategic and regional planning layers through to development assessment roles, responsibilities, procedures, and processes.

The department has been engaging with many stakeholders to better understand the various tensions and pressure points being experienced with the assessment and construction of wind farms around the state. This engagement involves other parts of the state government that have active roles in facilitating the roll out of renewable energy projects as well as different levels of government.

State code 23: Wind farm development and its associated Planning Guidance are used by the State Assessment and Referral Agency to assess wind farm applications.

State code 23: Wind farm development and its associated Planning Guidance are now being reviewed - drawing on experiences from the construction of approved wind farms and issues raised by different stakeholders over the past few years.

Key changes proposed to the State Code and Planning Guidance will:

• strengthen the environmental assessment criteria to prevent impacts on threatened species and associated habitats and areas of high ecological value
• clarify requirements for replanting and rehabilitating areas that are cleared for construction that are not needed to remain cleared for operations
• require projects to better understand areas of high erosion risk, particularly in Great Barrier Reef catchments, when formulating site layouts and to submit material for assessment to demonstrate that erosion and run off during construction can be adequately managed
• require applicants to demonstrate during the assessment that a viable heavy haulage route can support project construction
• introduce a new assessment criterion requiring proponents to assess the implications on surrounding communities and townships of proposed on-site construction camps
• The department sought comments and feedback on the proposed changes to the State code 23 and Planning Guidance over a four week consultation period from 7 August 2023 to 4 September 2023
• The department is currently reviewing consultation comments and drafting revised versions of the draft State Code and Planning Guidance.