The Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) will call on a Parliamentary Committee to recommend changes to proposed legislation governing renewable energy projects, following strong objections from farmers, miners, local governments, and the legal profession.

The Queensland Parliament’s State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee is holding hearings on the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 in Rockhampton and Biloela on Monday (2 June) and in Brisbane on Tuesday (3 June).

QREC Chief Executive Officer Katie-Anne Mulder said the breadth and consistency of concerns raised in submissions to the Committee reveal serious risks of regulatory overreach, unintended consequences, and damage to community trust in Queensland’s renewable energy rollout.

QREC supports the goal of improving social outcomes from the energy transition but warns the current draft legislation could instead undermine confidence and stall investment.

“We need planning laws that provide clarity and build trust—not confusion, delay, and unworkable precedent,” Ms Mulder said.

“As made clear by stakeholders across Queensland—farmers, councils, miners and legal experts—this Bill must be substantially amended or withdrawn.”

Farmers warn of mounting pressure

The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) cautioned in its submission that increasing regulatory requirements and community demands could overwhelm regional communities:

“With so many proponents involved, it is important that the Bill does not promote consultation fatigue and duplication which may well result from all having to conduct their own social impact assessments,” the QFF submission stated.

Mining sector calls for planning consistency

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) said the proposed changes introduce confusion and threaten established planning processes:

“The proposed new approach significantly strays from the fundamental objective of land use planning, which is to establish a transparent and efficient framework at the local level. It remains unclear why a restructuring of the planning system is necessary, given that the current Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process already provides a strategic and project-specific framework,” the AMEC submission stated.

Local councils urge respect for regional capability

Western Downs Regional Council warned against a blanket, centralised approach to planning:

“Requiring these instruments to be finalised prior to lodgement of a development application is, in our view, operationally flawed… Agreements reached too early, absent sufficient community dialogue or project definition, are unlikely to deliver lasting value,” the Council submission stated.

Legal sector flags unintended consequences

The Queensland Law Society expressed concern over potential legal and procedural impacts:

“The proposed process, including the requirement for there to be a completed community benefit agreement in place before an application is made, will lead to a number of issues for the relevant parties, including significant delays… These reforms are likely to adversely impact the renewable energy industry in Queensland in a way that is inconsistent with other types of development under the planning system,” the QLS submission stated.

The gas industry called for genuine consultation

The Australian Energy Producers expressed concern over the lack of consultation on significant reforms:

“It is regrettable that a reform intended to embed consultation has been developed without engagement with industry prior to the Bill being introduced. This lack of early engagement means that key assumptions have not been tested, and practical implementation issues have not been explored.”

As Queensland’s only renewable peak industry body, Queensland Renewable Energy Council (QREC) represents stakeholders across solar, wind, pumped hydro, electricity transmission, battery storage, and renewable fuels. QREC collaborates with industry, communities, and all levels of government to drive the growth of Queensland’s renewable energy sector.

For media enquires, please contact Katie-Anne Mulder on 0412 757 899