New Queensland state government intervenes on proposed wind projects

This follows the election of a new state government in Queensland in October 2024. The opposition Liberal National Party (LNP) led by David Crisafulli defeated the incumbent Labor government, led by premier Steven Miles, after three terms in government.

One of the LNP’s election promises was that it would “ensure renewable energy projects are impact assessable with approval processes consistent with other land uses like mining”.

New regulations are expected to be introduced in the first half of the year. To this effect, Queensland’s draft renewables regulatory framework is the subject of a public consultation process which has been extended until 1 February. The draft framework was first released in September 2024, prior to the elections, and amended in December 2024. It includes initiatives in five areas:

• enhanced environmental outcomes
• effective community participation
• easy access to information
• enduring landholder protections
• efficient industry facilitation.

The Moonlight Range Wind Farm, located 40km north of Rockhampton in Central Queensland, was earmarked to provide up to 450 megawatts of power from 88 turbines, alongside battery storage, when it obtained planning approval in December 2024.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has now issued a proposed ‘call-in notice’ for the Moonlight Range Wind Farm, seeking submissions on whether the project should be reassessed and if it is in the state’s interests; and opening a consultation period from the community and interested parties until 14 March.

The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning also paused the assessment of three wind farms in the state’s north, central and south west regions until 16 May, with the proponents required to demonstrate that the appropriate community consultation and impact assessments have been undertaken.

This follows the Crisafulli government’s cancellation of the proposed Pioneer-Burdekin Hydro Project, citing the cost of the project as unsustainable. The government flagged that it would instead investigate the construction of smaller pumped hydro projects around Queensland.

The federal government has also accepted recommendations aimed at improving community engagement and social license for projects in February 2024, following a report by the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer. One of the recommendations was the establishment of a dedicated ombudsman in each state to handle complaints connected to renewable energy infrastructure.

Recent changes for the renewables industry go beyond the Australian borders this week, with the release of US president Donald Trump’s executive orders freezing renewable energy projects on federal land and waters for 60 days.

Project proponents need to keep a close eye on proposed reforms and carefully consider the impact the changes may have on approval timelines, as these may have flow on impacts on other aspects of each project.