As renewable energy developments expand across Queensland, landholders and community members may want to understand how a proposed project could affect their property, business, or local area. Whether you have questions, concerns, or useful local knowledge to share, there are several ways to engage with developers, councils, and planning authorities. Knowing your options early helps ensure your views are heard and considered throughout the assessment process.

How do I make comments on the project?

You may want to find out more about a project or share information that could help the developer or council consider the likely impacts of the development.

There are several ways you can provide this information:

Questions and feedback to the developer, council, or other planning authority

Once you learn about a project, you can contact the company developing it and speak with a company representative. There may also be information available on a project website.

Similarly, anyone can contact their local council to discuss a project, understand more about it, and learn about the assessment process. The council planning department may be able to guide you through the steps involved.

Your local councillor and the planning department can also answer questions about how to make comments.

Developers must meet Queensland’s Community Benefits System requirements, which may involve consultation with the council and community as part of this process.

Your local community

Neighbours and other community members may also want to learn more and raise issues or concerns. You may wish to discuss opportunities, issues, or concerns together and, if appropriate, approach the council and the developer to invite them to meet with your group.

Formal feedback through a planning process

Once a planning application is lodged, you can provide feedback by making a properly made submission during the public notification period.

Large-scale renewable energy projects (including wind and solar) are Impact Assessable. Applications for standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) that are not part of a solar or wind farm are assessed by local government in line with their planning schemes and may be Code Assessable.

If the project is Code Assessable, there is no formal opportunity to make a submission about the project. You will not be able to object to, or appeal, a decision in the Planning and Environment Court. However, you can still contact the council or the developer to ask questions or seek clarification.

The Queensland Government’s renewable energy webpage provides detailed information on how these projects are assessed and includes a list of frequently asked questions.

If you make a properly made submission, you may consider lodging an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court. For more information about appeals, read here.

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.