Renewable Energy
What is Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy comes from natural sources, such as sunlight, wind, and water, that replenish faster than they are consumed. Also known as “green” or “clean” energy, it produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, offering an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels for generating power. Common forms include solar power, wind power, hydropower (from water), geothermal energy (from the Earth’s heat), and biomass energy (from organic matter).
Renewable Energy – What’s Changed (Queensland) – Solar & Wind
On 18 July 2025, the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 commenced, which introduced a new community benefit system that applies to wind farms and large-scale solar farms. The change in legislation means Solar Farm and Wind Farm development applications are required to be lodged through and assessed by the State Government (State Assessment Referral Agency - SARA).
However, before the lodgement of the development application, proponents are to undertake a Social Impact Assessment and negotiate a Community Benefit Agreement with Council.
Note: A large-scale solar farm is defined as being above 1MW. Small-scale solar farms will be assessed by the local government.
Renewable Energy – What’s Changed (Queensland) – Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
On 12 December 2025, the Planning (Battery Storage Facilities) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2025 commenced, which introduced a community benefit system that applies to large stand-alone BESS projects (50MW or more). The change in legislation means BESS development applications are required to be lodged through and assessed by the State Government (State Assessment Referral Agency – SARA).
Similar to Solar and Wind, before the lodgement of the development application, proponents are to undertake a Social Impact Assessment and negotiate a Community Benefit Agreement with Council. Proponents who enter into a Community Benefit Agreement with Council will be published here.
Further information on the community benefit system can be found on the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning website.
Renewable Energy – Location – Gladstone Region
To assist the community in knowing the location of all proposed and approved Solar/Wind/BESS projects, view the Renewable Energy Map:
View webmap in browser
Frequently Asked Questions
What renewable energy projects are proposed in the Gladstone Region?
Council has developed the Renewable Energy Map which is where community can review the location of all proposed and approved renewable energy projects in the Gladstone Region.
What is Council’s role in the development application process for renewable energy projects?
Under the 2025 amendments to the Queensland Planning Act (2016), Council is no longer the Assessment Manager to receive and decide on the Development Application outcome for renewable energy projects.
Council’s role is to act on the community’s behalf to secure appropriate measures to counterbalance the social impacts of a renewable energy project and negotiate enforceable community benefits that will deliver long term social and economic benefits across the Gladstone Region.
To secure this outcome, Council will negotiate and enter into a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) with the Proponent. The CBA is informed by the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) undertaken for the Project.
A CBA is a legally binding agreement between Council and the Proponent and is required to be submitted as part of the development application to be lodged to The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
What is the role of the State Assessment and Referral Agency?
The State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) is the Assessment Manager for large-scale renewable energy development applications in Queensland. The SARA will assess the application and determine whether the project will receive a Development Permit (an approval).
Can community have a say on the development application assessment of renewable energy projects?
Development applications for all wind farm, and certain solar farm and battery storage facility developments are impact assessable and must undergo public notification.
During the public notification period, community members and stakeholders can submit comments, concerns, or objections that the Assessment Manager (SARA) must consider.
How do I provide my feedback?
Community can provide feedback by making a properly made submission during the public notification period of the development application. To do this:
- Check when the application is publicly notified (advertised) via:
- Newspaper notices
- On-site signage
- Queensland Government planning website
- Ensure your submission is made within the stated notification period (typically 15 business days unless otherwise specified). Provide the submission in writing via:
- Online submission (if available), or
- Email or post to SARA (as outlined in the public notice) Include the following to be considered a “properly made submission” under the Planning Act:
- Submitter’s name and residential or business address
- Clear statement of support, objection, or comments
- Reasons for the submission (e.g. impacts on amenity, traffic, environment)
- Signature of each submitter (or for electronic submissions, as required)
Note - submissions must relate to planning matters (e.g. land use, environmental impacts, infrastructure), not personal circumstances unrelated to the development.
Feedback submitted directly to Council is not considered a properly made submission to the SARA.
What happens if I don’t submit a properly made submission regarding a renewable energy project?
The public notification period is the only formal opportunity for community members to secure appeal rights.
If a community group or person does not make a submission during the public notification period, the ability to challenge the decision is very limited.
Under the Planning Act, only those who lodge a properly made submission gain formal “submitter” status.
Without submitter status:
- You do not have third party appeal rights.
- You cannot appeal the decision to the Planning and Environment Court.
If the project is approved and you did not lodge a submission:
- You cannot legally challenge the approval on planning merits.
- You are taken to have accepted the outcome of the statutory process.