Politics & Council
11 February, 2024
Consult earlier on energy projects, recommends commission
THE FEDERAL Government has backed key recommendations that call for better community consultation in renewable energy infrastructure projects. The report by Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer came just days before a protest in...
THE FEDERAL Government has backed key recommendations that call for better community consultation in renewable energy infrastructure projects.
The report by Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer came just days before a protest in Canberra on Tuesday where farmers vented against the Government’s renewable policy rush.
Among protesters from across Victoria were Mitiamo’s Nick Marlow and VNI West opponents Glendon Watts and Susie Lockhart.
Mallee MP Anne Webster told the rally there was “the need for developers to have social licence in the communities hosting any infrastructure. Our prime agricultural land and pristine native bushland is too important to compromise”.
Mr Dyer’s report to improve community engagement has recommended:
Increasing early local collaboration;
Revising planning and approval processes to be more transparent and streamlined when it comes to community feedback;
Motivating developers to ensure best practice engagement;
Improving complaints handling;
Keeping communities better informed on energy transition goals, benefits and needs;
Equitably sharing the benefits of the transformation; and
Reducing unnecessary community engagement (where infrastructure will not ultimately be located) by improving the way project sites are selected.
Clean Energy Council chief policy and impact officer Arron Wood said: “Stronger community engagement is critical to successful development of renewable energy projects and meeting Australia’s commitment to 82 per cent renewables by 2030, and we welcome the release of this report.”
The Government says it will accept in-principle all of Mr Dyer’s recommendations.
“The review recognised the work that is already being implemented by all levels of government to address community expectations,” the Government said.