Four wind farm projects in Queensland have been paused to allow for wider community consultation.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said proponents of wind farms in North Queensland, Central Queensland and South West Queensland currently under assessment would need to demonstrate that the appropriate community consultation and impact assessments had been undertaken.
Deputy Premier Bleijie said the development approval for the Moonlight Range Wind Farm, 40 kilometres north west of Rockhampton, had been issued with a proposed “call in” notice that allowed submissions to be made from community members, local governments and other stakeholders as to whether the proposal met State interests.
He said the consultation period would close on March 14.
“These actions … ensure renewable energy projects are impact assessable with approval processes consistent with other land uses like mining.
“It’s only fair that the regions that play host to these large-scale new developments are consulted as part of any approval process.
“All projects, whether they are renewable energy, agriculture or mining should be subject to the same rigorous approvals process which includes community consultation.”
Deputy Premier Bleijie said the introduction of an impact assessment framework for renewable energy projects and approval processes consistent with other land uses would provide certainty for the community and industry.
