Wind power is a crucial component of the ongoing shift to renewable energy and meeting emission reduction targets. The Queensland Government is reviewing the regulatory framework for wind farms in the State. This is an opportunity to improve planning to manage possible adverse impacts on the natural environment, transport networks and noise levels. The proposed changes are open for community consultation from Monday 7th August until Monday 4 September.
Renewable energy experts and community consultation strategists are available to comment on ways to improve wind farms developments and consultation across Queensland and Australia.
Kerrie Foxwell-Norton - Associate Professor of Environmental Communication at Griffith University.
Location - Griffith University, Gold Coast campus
Kerrie is a leader in the Griffith Climate Action Beacon and a member of the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research. She has extensive experience in community-based research focussed on environment and climate change issues. She said,
“Meaningful consultation with communities is critical to creating local support and indeed, social licence for energy transitions. Failure to build relations of trust and genuine dialogue with those communities directly impacted by renewable infrastructure development has implications including and far beyond local conflict.
“These local events can hasten and equally, stymie community support for urgent efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Too often engagement with communities is not resourced sufficiently to increase the likelihood of support and participation. These are missed opportunities for climate action in communities where climate impacts are most keenly felt.”
Clare Silcock - Energy Strategist at the Queensland Conservation Council
Location - Brisbane
Clare is a renewable energy engineer, with ten years experience in electricity market modelling, zero carbon transition planning and community energy development in London and Brisbane. She said,
“We can have both renewable energy and thriving biodiversity in Queensland. Making sure our planning frameworks deliver renewable energy and protect Queensland’s unique nature is the only way that we can reach a safe climate future. Better community engagement needs to be written into the planning frameworks so that all projects can deliver long term benefits for Queenslanders.”
Lu Allan - Advocacy Director at the Renewable Energy Alliance (RE-Alliance)
Location - Cairns
RE-Alliance is a community-based not-for-profit working to secure an energy transformation that delivers long-term benefits and prosperity to regional Australia. She said,
"The review is a great opportunity for Queenslanders to ensure that renewable energy projects align with local values—supporting nature, culture, and local economies while delivering on our national climate goals."
Lucy Graham - Director - Cairns and Far North Environment Centre Inc. (CAFNEC)
Location - Cairns
As the director of CAFNEC Lucy has vast experience consulting with communities groups throughout Far Nth QLD, particularly community consultation in regards to renewable energy projects. She said,
“We know that a safe climate future relies on striking a balance between harnessing renewable energy sources and preserving our essential biodiversity. Our planning laws must reflect this ambition. The review of Code 23 is essential for our region. We know that we all have a role to play in the transition to renewable energy, which is essential for the future of all our natural places. However, our planning laws must ensure that the community is respected and the environment is protected from harm.”
Contact details:
Sean Kennedy: 0447 121 378 - sean.kennedy@climatemediacentre.org.au
