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Written by Anthony Elliott In April 2024 the Queensland Government foreshadowed a mandatory renewable energy code of conduct to ensure communities get a fair share of Queensland’s renewable energy boom. So, what is the scale of the boom for Queensland? Well, big. Estimates in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan pegged the investment at $62 Billion between 2022 and 2035, creating 100,000 jobs. Renewable energy investment, approvals and projects will need to move without delay in the next 11 years to catapult Queensland from the current rate of 27% renewable energy production to the targets of 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035. The new code aims to set “Set standard for social licence and regional community priorities”. This includes “demonstrating tangible benefits for communities, and improvements to infrastructure, jobs, local economy, the environment and social fabric”. The case for a new code is compelling. In February 2024, the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner’s (AEIC) Community Engagement Review was publicly released and sent a strong signal that community engagement was not meeting community expectations. This included: 92% were dissatisfied with the extent to which project developers engaged with the local community 85% were dissatisfied with the explanations provided by the project developers in response to their questions 89% stated that the information they received from project developers was not relevant to the concerns they raised 85% of stated that their concerns were not addressed in a timely manner. The code is currently being co-designed with industry collaborators and a Community/Customer Outcomes Group, supported by the Energy Charter and Queensland Renewable Energy Council. The code will require renewable energy developers engage genuinely with landholders and communities when developing, building and operating new generation and storage projects. Renee Wall, Director of Wall Planning Group said ”The timing of this announcement by the government means that all planned and existing renewable energy projects in Queensland need to take a closer look at the social impact on community, and engage more deeply with communities before, and during the project lifecycle. Other large scale projects in Queensland’s many Renewable Energy Zones may also need to consider the cumulative social and community impact of their projects, alongside renewable energy projects.” As the first state mandatory code of conduct for renewable energy developers the code will set the benchmark for Community Engagement policy in Australia. ------------------- Wall Planning Group is a Queensland based planning firm specialising in supporting the delivery of major energy, resources, and development projects including project management, master planning, social impact assessment, and community engagement.
Cattle plays a massive part of Queensland's agricultural industry and economy. With the need for cattle feedlots growing, Wall Planning Group (WPG) have obtained approvals for numerous feedlot projects across Queensland. Need feedlot approval? Here is what you need to know. Feedlots and Environmental Approvals When submitting a feedlot development application for approval, it can be a little more time consuming than many people anticipate. Where a lot of development applications may only deal with local Council, approval for a cattle feedlot can involve meeting legislative requirements of multiple State Government agencies. One prime example is an Environmental Authority (EA) . Cattle Feedlots exceeding 150 standard cattle units (SCU) are considered an Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA) under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 and so require an Environmental Authority approved by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). In addition, many farms are situated along state-controlled roads and railway corridors, others may have threatened species of flora or fauna, and some may have critical wetlands and waterways. These, and others, can require submissions of applications with the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) . This is why it is recommended that a town planner be hired to carry out the application process. WPG have the connections, knowledge, and experience to know exactly what needs to be addressed and how best to address it.
Christmas is more than just a day on the calendar; it's a feeling that wraps us in its embrace, reminding us of the importance of love, kindness, and generosity. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, the holiday season serves as a beautiful reminder to slow down, connect with our loved ones, and spread joy to those around us. From the twinkling lights to the joyous carols, every aspect of Christmas brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia. As we embrace the holiday spirit, let's take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey we've shared throughout the year in the form of our insightful blogs. Isaac River Project Renewable Energy in Queensland Energy Pathways to Net Zero Emissions Social Impact Assessments - Knowing Your Community Queensland Wind Farms - Environment and Community Clermont Showgrounds Revitalisation Master Plan The Regional Plan Overhaul and Your Development Planning Approval Beyond The Zones As we gather around the Christmas tree and exchange gifts with our loved ones, let's not forget the gift of shared experiences and the knowledge gained from the insightful blogs that have filled our digital space this year. From all of us here at Wall Planning and Environmental Consulting, we extend our warmest wishes for a joyous and fulfilling holiday season. May the spirit of Christmas continue to inspire us, and may the coming year bring even more opportunities for growth, learning, and connection. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Social Impact: Knowing Your Community —————- Social Impact Assessments are a critical tool for not only understanding a community, but also for understanding the impact that your major project has on the community and the management of those impacts. These impacts ARE a big deal, so how do we know what they are? ...
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Social Licence to Operate and Humanitarianism are two concepts that operate in different realms but share common ground in terms of societal acceptance and well-being. While Social Licence to Operate primarily focuses on the acceptance and legitimacy of businesses or organizations within a community, humanitarianism revolves around promoting human welfare and alleviating suffering. Conversations comparing the two concepts have been a common theme in recent years, but what IS the overlap?
If you’re in business, chances are you’ve heard the acronym ESG being thrown around liberally. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are the ethics considered most important by the stakeholders of a company. Let’s take a closer look at ESG and why you should stop ignoring the ‘S’.
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When we think of town planning, we think of developments, street designs, and infrastructure, but delve a little deeper and you’ll discover that a town planner is far more involved in aspects of a community’s development than you realise. Let’s take a peek at the scope of a town planner and the surprising services of Wall Planning Group.
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If you’re in business, chances are you’ve heard the acronym ESG being thrown around liberally. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) are the ethics considered most important by the stakeholders of a company. Let’s take a closer look at ESG and why you should stop ignoring the ‘S’.
The post ESG: Stop Ignoring the ‘S’ appeared first on Wall Planning Group.
Our founder, Renee Wall, has brought her international experience to the Queensland region. Renee is a planning professional with over 20 years experience in the planning sector, specialising in the delivery of major projects.
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Written by Anthony Elliott In April 2024 the Queensland Government foreshadowed a mandatory renewable energy code of conduct to ensure communities get a fair share of Queensland’s renewable energy boom. So, what is the scale of the boom for Queensland? Well, big. Estimates in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan pegged the investment at $62 Billion between 2022 and 2035, creating 100,000 jobs. Renewable energy investment, approvals and projects will need to move without delay in the next 11 years to catapult Queensland from the current rate of 27% renewable energy production to the targets of 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035. The new code aims to set “Set standard for social licence and regional community priorities”. This includes “demonstrating tangible benefits for communities, and improvements to infrastructure, jobs, local economy, the environment and social fabric”. The case for a new code is compelling. In February 2024, the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner’s (AEIC) Community Engagement Review was publicly released and sent a strong signal that community engagement was not meeting community expectations. This included: 92% were dissatisfied with the extent to which project developers engaged with the local community 85% were dissatisfied with the explanations provided by the project developers in response to their questions 89% stated that the information they received from project developers was not relevant to the concerns they raised 85% of stated that their concerns were not addressed in a timely manner. The code is currently being co-designed with industry collaborators and a Community/Customer Outcomes Group, supported by the Energy Charter and Queensland Renewable Energy Council. The code will require renewable energy developers engage genuinely with landholders and communities when developing, building and operating new generation and storage projects. Renee Wall, Director of Wall Planning Group said ”The timing of this announcement by the government means that all planned and existing renewable energy projects in Queensland need to take a closer look at the social impact on community, and engage more deeply with communities before, and during the project lifecycle. Other large scale projects in Queensland’s many Renewable Energy Zones may also need to consider the cumulative social and community impact of their projects, alongside renewable energy projects.” As the first state mandatory code of conduct for renewable energy developers the code will set the benchmark for Community Engagement policy in Australia. ------------------- Wall Planning Group is a Queensland based planning firm specialising in supporting the delivery of major energy, resources, and development projects including project management, master planning, social impact assessment, and community engagement.
Cattle plays a massive part of Queensland's agricultural industry and economy. With the need for cattle feedlots growing, Wall Planning Group (WPG) have obtained approvals for numerous feedlot projects across Queensland. Need feedlot approval? Here is what you need to know. Feedlots and Environmental Approvals When submitting a feedlot development application for approval, it can be a little more time consuming than many people anticipate. Where a lot of development applications may only deal with local Council, approval for a cattle feedlot can involve meeting legislative requirements of multiple State Government agencies. One prime example is an Environmental Authority (EA) . Cattle Feedlots exceeding 150 standard cattle units (SCU) are considered an Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA) under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2019 and so require an Environmental Authority approved by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). In addition, many farms are situated along state-controlled roads and railway corridors, others may have threatened species of flora or fauna, and some may have critical wetlands and waterways. These, and others, can require submissions of applications with the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) . This is why it is recommended that a town planner be hired to carry out the application process. WPG have the connections, knowledge, and experience to know exactly what needs to be addressed and how best to address it.
The post Feedlot Development Approvals appeared first on Wall Planning Group.