In 2021 CAFNEC began campaigning to ensure that renewable energy projects are well sited, protecting irreplaceable habitats and benefiting communities. This began after our community witnessed bulldozing of remnant habitat at the Kaban wind farm. A development 
project that had little to no community engagement, poor protections of native forests and species and raised the alarm in our region. Shortly after Kaban the Wooroora Wind Farm (Chalumbin) was proposed to be developed directly adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage area and would fragment the habitat of multiple threatened species. While this proposal was ultimately withdrawn as it was unlikely to pass federal environment assessments, it did get approved at a state level.
Wind Farms in Queensland are code assessable, despite the fact that they have grown significantly in size and impact since the legislation was created. The code was previously lacking in it assessment of environmental impacts and community engagement. Therefore while CAFNEC campaigned to ensure that damaging projects like Chalumbin Wind Farm did not go ahead, we also worked to campaign for legislative reform. In 2023 the Qld Government announced a review of the Wind Farm Code after consistent pressure from CAFNEC and the wider movement. You can read CAFNEC’s Submission Here. The release of the reviewed code and regulatory framework was delayed, and it was CAFNEC’s consistent pressure that saw the release of the code and regulatory framework on the 30th of September 2024.
Changing planning laws in Queensland is no small task, and although there is still work to be done, we know it’s important to celebrate this moment! It’s the efforts of so
State Code 23
The final Code has taken the following recommendations from our submission on board:
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The environmental performance outcome in the code no longer explicitly mentions “minimising” impacts, signalling an intent to comply with the mitigation hierarchy
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High ecological value has been defined as Matters of State Environmental Significance
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Rehabilitation has been defined, and projects will be required to submit a preliminary rehabilitation plan as part of the assessment
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An End of Construction Decommissioning Management Plan will be required to remove all construction structures and waste
Additionally, the final Code attempts to address concerns around community engagement and hazards such as bushfires by:
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Requiring Bushfire Management Plan, prepared with QEFS
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Requiring a Complaint Investigation and Response Plan with toll free number, and clear complaints process
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Requiring a Construction Environmental Management Plan for biosecurity etc
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Requiring a Noise Monitoring Plan and Reports to ensure compliance with the acoustic requirements of operational wind farms
However, the following concerns were not addressed:
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Protected areas were not defined as a sensitive land use, so continue not to require a setback
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A full decommissioning plan is still only required prior to decommissioning, not as a condition of approval
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No further guidance is provided to ensure that free prior and informed consent and self-determination are upheld for First Nations of Country proposed to be impacted
Renewables Regulatory Framework
The Government has released a draft Renewables Regulatory Framework. The Renewables Regulatory Framework is where the Queensland Government has contained increased community engagement, the regulation of solar and more;
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Consider other energy infrastructure such as solar
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Expand the role for the state environment agency including a review of identified Environmentally Relevant Activities
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Set standards on lifecycle planning including financial assurance for decommissioning
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Expand the role of the Energy and Water Ombudsman to include landholder and community complaints
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Increase access to information about projects through an online portal, guidance materials, and independent analysis.
The Regulatory Framework is currently out for consultation and is open until 11:59pm on 6 December 2024. CAFNEC will be preparing a submission and encourages the community to engage.
You can read more about CAFNEC’s Vision for Energy Transition Here: https://cafnec.org.au/renewable-energy-and-thriving-nature/
