The Queensland Government is delivering on its commitments to amend laws applicable to renewable energy development by introducing a community benefit framework and making wind farms and large-scale solar farms impact assessable.
Feedback from industry stakeholders, local government, the community and other interested parties on the proposed changes to the Draft Development Assessment (DA) Rules was sought from Tuesday 6 May to Tuesday 3 June 2025. Submissions are now closed.
Next steps
Your feedback will inform the proposed changes to ensure that processes applicable to renewable energy development are efficient, effective, transparent, integrated, coordinated and accountable.
Key changes proposed to the planning framework are described below.
Social impact assessment (SIA)
Proponents of wind farms and large-scale solar farms will be required to undertake social impact assessment, evaluating how a project will affect the local community. This includes consideration of workforce management, housing and accommodation, local business and industry procurement, as well as health and community wellbeing and will involve community and stakeholder engagement requirements.
Community benefit agreement (CBA)
Proponents will be required to enter into an agreement with local government that contains measures and commitments to manage and counterbalance social impacts, as well as enhance community outcomes for a positive legacy.
Third-party appeal rights
Community members and stakeholders who make properly made submissions during the public notification process will have the right to appeal the final decision, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
Development Assessment (DA) Rules
Amendments to the DA Rules propose new alternative public notice requirements for prescribed development requiring social impact assessment to ensure contemporary and practical ways to ensure community awareness, given the large scale of the development sites.
Primarily the changes acknowledge that a public notification sign to be placed on the frontage of a site of a large wind or solar farm development over many hectares is not practical or helpful.
More information about the proposed key changes can be found on Renewable energy.
Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
The Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (The Bill) proposing to establish the community benefit system under the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act) was introduced to Parliament on 1 May 2025.
The content of the Bill is being consulted through the Queensland Government Parliamentary Committee process.
Consultation material
The following documents and information provide context and information about how the proposed changes will be implemented and operationalised.
