Watt unveils plan to create “go” and “no-go” zones in breakthrough for wind, solar and storage assessments

Environmental and clean energy groups have welcomed news from federal environment minister Murray Watt that he will lock proposed “regional planning” guidelines for major projects into legislation, creating effective “go” and “no go zones” for renewable and other developments.

The implementation of “regional planning” was recommended by the Samuel Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act in 2021, and is seen as significant to break the log-jam of major wind, solar and storage projects seeking a federal green tick.

The main problem – for both promoters and opponents – for major projects has been the requirement that they be assessed on a case by case basis. This has resulted in delays, a lack of clarity for developers, and frustration for those in regions who complain of being overwhelmed by the sheer number of projects.

“If we are to reach our ambitious climate and renewable goals, we need to ensure our environmental laws are working and unnecessary duplication is removed,” Watt told the Smart Energy Council conference in Brisbane on Tuesday.

It will not be a one way street, however, and Watt says it will result in the creation of both “go” and “no zones” for projects, be they for housing, for renewables, or for other projects.

“For the renewable energy sector it means faster yes’s and faster no’s, while still ensuring that community and environmental concerns about potential projects are being managed carefully,” Watt says.

Regional planning has been trialled in various states around the country, including for renewables in states such as NSW, South Australia and Queensland.

Delays in planning approvals have been cited as one of the main barriers to the rollout of renewable and other industrial projects, and a real threat to Australia’s ability to meet its 2030 renewable energy targets, and what are hoped to be ambitious emission reduction targets for 2035.

“Regional planning improves environmental outcomes by better managing threats to nature, identifying areas of high environmental sensitivity that should not be developed and guiding restoration activities in areas that have been degraded,” Watt says.

“Regional planning also benefits business by providing better information on local environmental values, to enable informed planning and decision-making, identifying areas where development will simply not be allowed, and areas where individual project assessment and approval would not be required.

“This approach – identifying “go” and “no go” zones in various regions upfront – would shift the focus from project-by-project development, to effective planning for our environment and for sustainable development.”

The proposal was welcome by both the Smart Energy Council, and the Queensland Conservation Council.

“Finally, we have a map,” the SEC’s chief executive John Grimes said. “Nobody in the industry wants to waste time and money developing proposals that are then knocked off.”

The QCC’s Dace Copeman said he welcomed the move. “This is the right step. The QCC has been pushing for this kind of regional plan because we need to have renewables built.

“Today’s announcement is great news for nature. These regional plans are key to getting our environmental laws working to protect critical habitat, and help plan the renewable energy transformation so projects are being proposed, approved, and built in the right places. 

“We believe all irreplaceable habitats of threatened species or ecological communities should be protected. If habitat can’t be replaced in the time species need it, it should be a no go zone for destructive development. 

“In South East Queensland alone, we found up to a third of the region needs to be identified as a ‘red zone’ and secured from clearing and degradation now.”

Watt also criticised the new state LNP government, which has scrapped some already approved large scale wind projects, torn up the state’s renewable energy targets and promised to boost fossil fuel generation.

He cited the frustration of fifth-generation cattle farmers that had hoped to host the Moonlight Range wind farm, which was pulled by the state LNP government despite strong support from neighbours.

Approval for another major wind project, the 1.2 GW Forest Wind, in a state pine plantation, has also been pulled to the shock of the industry.

“Queensland doesn’t want their business,” Watt said.

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