The newly developed Renewable Energy Planning Framework (Framework) by the WA Planning Commission’s (WAPC) provides improved clarity and consistency for communities and industry in the shift to renewable energy.
Subject to the comments made in this submission, we are broadly supportive of the three elements of the Framework, namely the Renewable Energy Planning Code and Guidelines, the amendments to the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015, and the amendments to the Planning and Development (Significant Development) Regulations 2024.
We provide a number of comments on how the Framework could better respond to the community’s desire for improved integration and communication around renewable energy planning systems and make the following overarching recommendations:
- Ensure the objectives of the final Code adequately cover the range of planning issues and opportunities rising from new large-scale renewable energy developments.
- Incorporate a requirement for Social Impact Assessment, requiring pre-development application consultation, into the final Code.
- In conjunction with the development of the final Code, work to provide a nationally consistent and industry-wide Financial Assurance Framework for decommissioning activities.
- Definitions of hydrogen and ammonia production facilities should include a recognition of the energy sources used for these facilities to better support appropriate assessment of the different environmental impacts arising from the different facilities.
- Deemed Provisions for LPS Planning Regulations must ensure that community goals and aspirations for the shift to renewable energy are appropriately embedded in the planning scheme.
