Flinders Shire Council welcomes review of renewable energy projects including wind farms

Flinders Shire Council has welcomed the LNP Government’s temporary pause on wind farm proposals across Queensland, which aims to ensure stronger community consultation and more rigorous planning processes for renewable energy projects.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, in his capacity as State Development Minister, has exercised extraordinary powers to issue a proposed call-in notice for a wind farm near Rockhampton.

The assessment of three other wind farm projects has also been temporarily paused to tighten renewable energy planning laws and ensure impacted communities are given a greater voice.

Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle said the move aligns with the LNP’s election commitment to apply a higher level of scrutiny to renewable energy projects, bringing them in line with planning standards applied to mining and agriculture.

“I think it’s good that the government is committed to establishing robust approval processes for wind energy projects,” Mayor Peddle said.

“However, it’s equally important that these processes do not stifle investment opportunities in the sector.

“We need to strike a careful balance that encourages growth while ensuring that communities and local councils receive their fair share of the benefits that come from renewable energy developments.”

Mayor Peddle highlighted the importance of ensuring that any development delivers tangible benefits to local communities.

“As a council, it’s our job to get the best for our community. Whether it’s a wind farm or any other development, it needs to be done right, and the value must extend to improvements within our Shire.

“Governments might have renewable energy targets, but we have a survival target.”

The Mayor also called for the standardisation of community benefit funds for councils hosting renewable energy projects.

“I’m happy that the government will have processes in place, and I hope they consider standardising a community benefit fund for all councils accepting and supporting these proposals,” Mayor Peddle said.

“We don’t have an ideological belief in alternative energy, but we are happy to diversify our economic gains.

“We need government to keep the lines of communication open with local governments and really invest in our partnerships.”

When asked whether the temporary pause on renewable energy projects could jeopardise the feasibility of CopperString, Mayor Peddle said she did not believe it would.

“CopperString is important to the entire Townsville to Mount Isa economy, our mining, minerals processing, and energy generation,” she said.

“Improving the approvals processes will actually increase the drive to build energy infrastructure in the west, not reduce it.

“We want energy investment in the Flinders Shire and to ensure benefits flow to the region.”

Mayor Peddle expressed confidence in the government’s commitment to CopperString.

“The Deputy Premier has made it very clear he’s committed to CopperString, so he’s not going to do anything to damage it,” she said.

“I believe they just want to give communities a stronger say and ensure projects meet high approval standards.”

CopperString sod turning ceremony with local Mayors