Federal environment minister Murray Watt announced he will legislate “regional planning” guidelines to create “go” and “no-go” zones for renewables and other major projects.
The policy stems from the 2021 Samuel Review of the EPBC Act, which urged reforms to break the case-by-case approvals logjam.
Watt told the Smart Energy Council conference that streamlined approvals are critical to meeting Australia’s 2030 renewable energy and 2035 emissions targets.
He said the new system will mean “faster yes’s and faster no’s,” giving clarity to developers while protecting sensitive environments.
Regional planning trials in NSW, South Australia and Queensland have shown benefits, but delays remain a key barrier to renewables rollout.
Watt argued regional plans will improve outcomes by identifying areas too sensitive for development, guiding restoration, and flagging where approvals are unnecessary.
The Smart Energy Council welcomed the move, with CEO John Grimes saying: “Finally, we have a map.” The Queensland Conservation Council also strongly backed the plan.
Conservation groups stressed that irreplaceable threatened species habitats must be locked into “no-go zones,” citing South East Queensland as needing one-third of land secured.
Watt criticised Queensland’s new LNP government for cancelling approved wind farms and scrapping state renewable targets, citing the Moonlight Range and Forest Wind projects.
Both industry and environmental groups said the reform is a breakthrough for unlocking renewables while ensuring critical habitat protection and greater certainty for developers.