– Tom Dixon, Queensland Community Engagement Manager, RE-Alliance.
RE-Alliance welcomes the Queensland Government’s renewed focus on the leadership role for local governments and social impact assessment in renewable energy planning, as seen in the release of the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (The Bill). The planning committee are due to release their report to Parliament from the public consultation on the bill this week.
However, we caution that this process must not become a mechanism to stall or derail projects already underway in the state, as pointed out in many submissions to and in public hearings on the Bill, held earlier this month. We await the outcomes of the report with interest, and you can read our submission to the Bill and summary recommendations here.
As this process continues, uncertainty in much of Queensland – like the recent cancellation of the Moonlight Range Wind Farm near Rockhampton – risks amplifying uncertainty for regions who are crying out for clarity as they plan for their future. The project, which included up to 88 turbines and a battery energy storage system, was called in and scrapped despite receiving planning approval in late 2024 from the current Government.
While it's crucial to question projects that pose genuine threats to wildlife and local communities, we must ensure that such concerns are not used as political tools to derail renewable energy initiatives. The cancellation of projects like Moonlight Range sends mixed signals to the clean energy sector, potentially deterring investment in Queensland, slowing regional jobs growth, creating further confusion for rural leaders and hindering progress toward our renewable energy goals.
Our energy system is changing and Queensland must not be left behind as it does. The Renewable Energy Alliance will be working closely with allies, communities, industry, and government to ensure this does not happen, and that the Sunshine State makes the most of its incredible renewable resources through the planning process. With more than $70 billion worth of wind, solar, storage and transmission projects in the pipeline, a clear path to an energy roadmap is essential to give industry the confidence to invest.
Renewables can also bring stability to farms and rural and regional towns. Let’s not let this opportunity drift. Queensland must keep moving forward with a fair Assessment process, and a solid Energy Plan, which puts communities and landholders at the centre and gives certainty to investors and big business.
Read our submission to the Bill and summary recommendations.