Agriculture
5 November, 2023
Social licence review 'hidden' on website
COMMUNITIES questioning social licence of the Australian Energy Market Operator and its controversial VNI West project may get a say on plans. The Federal Government’s Australian Energy Regulator last week released its social licence for...
COMMUNITIES questioning social licence of the Australian Energy Market Operator and its controversial VNI West project may get a say on plans.
The Federal Government’s Australian Energy Regulator last week released its social licence for electricity transmission directions paper for public comment.
AER wants submissions by December 1 but public circulation has been restricted to its website.
Loddon Shire, whose Mayor Dan Straub has been critical of AEMO and questioned the social licence of the government body behind plans to run 80-metre tall towers through prime irrigation land, confirmed on Tuesday it had not been asked to make a submission.
AER in background provided to the Loddon Herald said: ““We are aware that communities have been asked to engage in a number of processes and recognise providing a submission may not be possible at this time. We are open to organising direct meetings with interested individuals to discuss the paper and receive feedback in that forum.”
It says submissions will “provide more guidance on treatment of social licence, concerns, alongside consideration of other issues including addition of emissions reduction to the National Energy Objectives”.
“The directions paper outlines the AER’s current approach to social licence issues in our regulatory roles for transmission businesses. “Following the release of the paper on the AER website, we are now seeking and invite feedback from all stakeholders by December 1. This feedback will be used to refine our approach and develop more detailed guidance for industry during 2024.”
The paper says: “Development of Australia’s electricity transmission network is vital to a successful transition to a low emission grid. However, new transmission lines will impact the lands and communities in which they are built. Transmission companies will therefore need to build and maintain a social licence to operate for their projects to succeed.
“Effective engagement is fundamental to gaining the social licence needed to expand the transmission grid. Transmission businesses can build social licence by collaborating and resolving issues with impacted communities. Through effective engagement transmission businesses can identify ways to increase the benefits and minimise the negative impacts of new transmission lines on affected communities.”
“Social licence or ‘social licence to operate’, is a broad concept covering factors related to the level of community acceptance of, or opposition to, potential change or an organisation’s operations. New transmission lines will impact the lands and communities in which it is proposed, potentially in positive and negative ways. Therefore, successful investment in this infrastructure requires a serious effort from the sector, particularly transmission businesses, to closely engage with, and respond to, the needs of communities.”
- CHRIS EARL