Renewable projects set to benefit Townsville community

Renewable energy generation and storage developments could soon inject hundreds of thousands of dollars into local community-benefitting projects, with Council endorsing its Renewable Energy Community Benefit Agreement Policy at a special council meeting today.

The new policy follows recent changes to Queensland planning laws, which now require proponents of prescribed renewable energy projects to complete a social impact assessment (SIA) and enter into a community benefit agreement (CBA) with the relevant local government before lodging a development application.

Prescribed developments include all wind farms, solar farms with a maximum instantaneous output of one megawatt or more, and battery storage facilities with a maximum instantaneous output of 50 megawatts or more.

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said with strong interest in renewable energy investment across the Local Government Area, the policy provides a clear framework to ensure projects deliver lasting benefits for the community.

“With growing interest in renewable projects across Townsville and at Lansdown, this policy makes sure large-scale developments that impact our region are giving back to the community for the life of the project and beyond,” Cr Dametto said.

“This policy also gives project proponents a clear pathway to negotiate Community Benefit Agreements with Council, which are now required before development applications can be lodged. It encourages proponents to be good corporate citizens and deliver real, long-term outcomes for our community.”

Councillor Dametto said the Community Benefit Fund had the potential to inject millions of dollars into projects across the city as renewable developments progressed, particularly at Lansdown.

“These funds will be managed by Council and can be directed into three key streams - Council legacy projects and strategic infrastructure, community legacy initiatives such as facilities, services or programs, and community sponsorships and grassroots initiatives,” he said.

Councillor Dametto said projects like a large-scale solar farm or Battery Energy Storage System would deliver significant returns for local communities.

“A 500-megawatt solar farm, for example, would generate a minimum annual contribution of $425,000 into the Community Benefit Fund, and battery storage would add further contributions of $150 per megawatt hour of capacity,” he said.

“This is another way projects like Lansdown will benefit our Local Government Area. Beyond creating jobs and new industries, these proponents will be contributing their fair share to support our community - not just today, but for generations to come.”