Queensland’s renewable energy rollout is well underway, and many farming districts are seeing increasing interest from wind, solar, transmission and storage developers. For landholders, knowing what is planned nearby is the first step to understanding potential opportunities, impacts, and how to engage early.

You might want to find out more about a local renewable energy development that is happening near you so you can consider how you may be affected.

How do I find out about it?

There are several ways to find details of any projects near you and to access more information about them.

Consultation by developers

In Queensland, under recent planning changes, developers must consult with local communities in the early stages of project development. The industry has developed a Developer and Investor Toolkit and a Best Practice Charter, which encourages early consultation and engagement. Developers may hold open days, community forums, and information sessions, and may provide a website and project phone number to inform and invite feedback from the community. It is now mandated in Queensland that developers conduct a Social Impact Assessment and agree to a Community Benefits Agreement with council before submitting a development application. Development applications for wind farms and solar farms greater than 1 MW in capacity will be Impact Assessable. This means there is a public consultation period, and people who make submissions during this period may appeal the decision.

Check the Electricity Generation Map for Queensland

The Queensland Government has established a map of all major electricity generators in the state. Many projects are listed on this site, which includes a search function. You can search within regions for different technologies and filter by development status, such as “Early Feasibility” or “Under Construction”. Note that the site may not include all projects, particularly those in early stages.

Check your local council's planning and development website

Many local councils list development applications online, with several search options such as address or map-based searches, as shown below from the Western Downs Regional Council development website.

The map shows current planning applications, and many application documents are available to inspect. This will only include applications currently under consideration by council.

Figure 2. Map of development applications under consideration by Western Downs Regional Council.

In Figure 2, each blue dot is a planning application. Clicking on a dot shows the address, application details, applicant name, and application number. Supporting documents can also be accessed. Note that these maps include all planning applications, not just renewable energy projects.

Check other planning and assessment websites

There are other planning websites where projects may be listed and where additional details can be found:

Queensland Coordinator-General
Projects listed here are being assessed by the Queensland Government because they are of state significance or have been “called in.”

SARA – State Assessment and Referral Agency:
https://www.planning.qld.gov.au/planning-framework/state-assessment-and-referral-agency/sara-application-material

Australian Government – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
Projects listed here are being assessed for any matters of national environmental significance.

EPBC – Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act:
https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/

Finally, do a web search

Use any information you already know about the project — technology type, location, or developer — to search online. This can help locate media releases, company announcements, or community information pages that may not yet appear on formal planning websites.

Understanding what renewable energy projects are proposed in your area helps you make informed decisions, identify potential opportunities, and engage early in the planning process. By using the available mapping tools, monitoring planning websites, and taking advantage of developer consultation activities, you can stay across developments that may affect your property, business, or community. If in doubt, seek independent advice so you are well prepared as Queensland’s energy transition continues.

For help with energy matters

Contact the Energy Information Service for Landholders, a free phone service for Queensland farmers and landholders.

The service is available Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm, and provides information and guidance on a range of energy matters.

Call 07 3329 7500 to access the service.