Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill enables the construction and operation of a major wind farm of up to 226 turbines in Queensland State forests, and separately fixes planning controls for the Springfield development area in Ipswich. The wind farm component creates special tenure arrangements that override forestry and land laws to allow a $2 billion renewable energy project to coexist with existing plantation forestry in the Toolara, Tuan and Neerdie State forests.
Who it affects
Regional communities near the State forests stand to gain jobs and economic activity from the wind farm, while the Springfield planning reforms affect developers and landowners in the Ipswich growth area.
Wind farm in State forests
Creates a new legal framework of access licences and project leases so that Forest Wind Holdings can build and operate a 1,200-megawatt wind farm in the Toolara, Tuan and Neerdie State forests. The development must coexist with HQPlantations' existing 99-year plantation licence, and the proponent must pay compensation to the plantation licensee and meet native title requirements.
- Enables up to 226 wind turbines in State forests, expected to deliver 12 per cent of Queensland's installed generation capacity
- Creates access licences (for construction) and project leases (up to 45 years) that override the Forestry Act's prohibition on incompatible uses
- Requires an Indigenous Land Use Agreement before any tenure can be granted, with compensation paid by the proponent
- No compensation payable by the State to any person in connection with the bill's operation
- Land must be remediated when tenure ends, with the plantation licensee as a backstop if the wind farm developer fails to do so
Springfield Structure Plan reforms
Amends the Planning Act 2016 to restore proper planning controls for the Springfield development area in Ipswich, after court decisions found that precinct plan requirements were no longer mandatory. The reforms ensure Springfield City Group retains input into planning decisions as master developer.
- Precinct plans and area development plans must be in place before development can start in the Springfield area
- Third-party planning applicants must consult Springfield City Group and consider its representations
- Dispute resolution procedures updated to cover infrastructure disputes and extended timeframes
- Only parties with a direct interest (applicants, landowners, SCG, submitters) can lodge dispute notices
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee20 May 2020View Hansard
Referred to State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Committee
The State Development, Tourism, Innovation and Manufacturing Committee examined the Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020, a special purpose bill to enable tenure for a large-scale wind farm of up to 226 turbines in State forests in the Wide Bay Burnett region. The committee recommended the bill be passed, noting the project's potential to create over 400 jobs and generate enough clean energy to power one in four Queensland homes. The committee also recommended minor amendments to a separate part of the bill dealing with the Springfield Structure Plan. Two LNP committee members filed a statement of reservation, criticising the government's consultation process with local communities.
Key findings (5)
- The project could deliver upwards of 400 construction jobs (peaking at 600) and up to 50 ongoing operational roles, with an estimated $2 billion in private capital investment.
- Bushfire management was identified as a significant concern, but the committee was satisfied that conditions requiring a Bushfire Management Plan prepared in consultation with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services addressed this risk.
- A small number of local residents raised concerns about health impacts from turbine noise, visual amenity, and inadequate community consultation, with some requesting greater separation distances from homes.
- The bill does not guarantee the project will proceed but provides the tenure pathway needed for the proponent to continue the development assessment process.
- The bill also included unrelated amendments to the Planning Act 2016 to facilitate the operation of the Springfield Structure Plan, for which the committee recommended minor adjustments.
Recommendations (2)
- The committee recommends the Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020 be passed.
- The committee recommends that the Queensland Government consider minor amendments to Part 8, Division 4 of the Bill relating to the operation of the Springfield Structure Plan, including: updating section 275W(3) to require precinct plans to be 'generally consistent with' rather than 'consistent with' the Land Use Concept Master Plan; amending sections 275X-Z to remove potential duplicative consultation processes; amending the bill to provide Queensland Urban Utilities with copies of plan approval applications where there are possible impacts to water or wastewater infrastructure; expanding the scope of transitional arrangements under section 353(1) to include development approvals from applications made but not decided before commencement; and amending the bill to include explicit reference to section 316 of the Planning Act 2016 to put beyond doubt the validity of appeal processes under the Springfield Structure Plan.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading11 Aug 2020View Hansard
Vote on a motion
Vote on an LNP motion to disallow clause 7 of the Corrective Services (COVID-19 Emergency Response) Regulation 2020, which allowed remote supervision of dangerous sex offenders during COVID-19. This division was unrelated to the Forest Wind Farm Development Bill and occurred during an intervening debate on the disallowance motion.
The motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (43)
Noes (48)
▸22 members spoke17 support5 mixed
As committee chair, supported the bill for its contribution to renewable energy and economic benefits for regional communities, including 1,200 megawatts of renewable energy and hundreds of jobs.
“I commend this bill because I see it as forward thinking and I see it as focused on the future.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
As the responsible minister, moved the second reading and commended the bill as a game changer that facilitates a $2 billion wind farm project creating 440 construction jobs and 50 operational jobs, while also supporting the Springfield Structure Plan amendments.
“This bill facilitates much needed employment opportunities to support regional Queensland jobs and investment, and will boost renewable energy generation.”— 2020-08-11View Hansard
Stated the LNP is supportive of the project but raised concerns about inadequate consultation with local landowners and the impact of proposed transmission lines on property values.
“The LNP is supportive of this project, but I understands the concerns of the residents who will have high-voltage lines going through their properties.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Stated the LNP would not oppose the bill but raised significant concerns about the government's three years of secret discussions with the proponent without community consultation, the lack of detail on transmission line corridors, and the failure to guarantee no net loss in forestry production.
“Not only did the former Bligh Labor government sell off the state forests that Ms Olsen neighbours in an asset fire sale; now the Palaszczuk Labor government is enabling development in the forest which would have previously been unimaginable.”— 2020-08-11View Hansard
Supported the bill as demonstrating the government's commitment to renewable energy and job creation, highlighting the project's potential to deliver 1,200 megawatts and contribute to the 50 per cent renewable energy target.
“This bill is vital for Queensland, demonstrating the Palaszczuk government's commitment to renewable energy and job-creating opportunities for the future.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Spoke in support focusing on the Springfield Structure Plan amendments, emphasising the importance of planning certainty for the Greater Springfield master-planned community and its 43,000 residents.
“Securing the integrity of the Springfield Structure Plan, as proposed by the amendments before us, will allow Springfield City Group and its many development partners to have continued certainty around planning provisions to allow continued financial investment in Greater Springfield.”— 2020-08-11View Hansard
Supported the bill while noting questions about community consultation, turbine impacts on migratory birds, and fire management that need to be resolved during the development application phase.
“I am satisfied that the processes in place by the levels of government involved will capture and address the concerns voiced that were outside the jurisdiction of this bill and our committee.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
As a committee member, stated the LNP would not oppose the bill but criticised the inadequate community consultation, noting only one public meeting was held despite three years of government discussions with the proponent, and raised concerns about potential loss of forestry assets and lack of detail on the transmission line.
“This proposed wind farm, if it comes to pass, will have a significant impact on the local community and on the environment within which they live.”— 2020-08-11View Hansard
As Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, strongly supported the bill as part of Queensland's renewable energy revolution and criticised the LNP's energy policy.
“Let me assure the House that this is not a bill you would ever see under an LNP government.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Spoke in support of the bill, highlighting its contribution to renewable energy and green jobs in regional Queensland, and dismissed opposition criticism of the market-led proposal process.
“Forgive me if we are not prepared to take lectures from people who opposed ending sandmining on Stradbroke island.”— 2020-08-11View Hansard
Raised serious concerns about the lack of community consultation, the government's three years of secret discussions, and the impact on local residents, while not indicating he would vote against the bill.
“The Gympie community deserves better than lip-service consultation.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Supported the bill as a positive step towards realising a large-scale renewable energy project that will create local jobs and economic development.
“This bill is a positive step towards the realisation of yet another large-scale, renewable energy, job-creating project.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Welcomed the renewable energy investment but criticised the government for allowing the project to be built by private corporations rather than investing in publicly owned renewables, and raised concerns about community consultation.
“I welcome any investment in renewable energy infrastructure. What does concern me about this bill and more broadly is the fact that this government is allowing the bulk of new renewables projects to be built by private corporations.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
As Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, supported the bill for its job creation potential and the satisfactory arrangements for coexistence with forestry operations.
“The project detailed in this bill delivers on the government's plan to unite and recover for Queensland jobs and should be passed.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Confirmed the LNP would not oppose the bill but raised concerns about the lack of community consultation under the exclusive transaction process.
“I note that the shadow minister, Andrew Powell, has foreshadowed that the LNP will not be opposing this bill.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill as part of the government's renewable energy transformation, noting no large-scale renewable projects were started under the previous LNP government.
“This Forest Wind farm project, if fully developed, would increase Queensland's large-scale renewable energy capacity by 40 per cent and reduce CO2 emissions by over 78 million tonnes over 30 years.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Supported renewable energy projects including wind farms but criticised the government's consultation process, contrasting it favourably with the MacIntyre Wind Farm in his electorate.
“If a proponent emerges with a project that meets all of the requirements, has community support and is a suitable business proposition, of course it will be supported.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Supported the bill as part of the government's unite and recover plan, highlighting the renewable energy industry created under the Palaszczuk government.
“The Forest Wind farm is another example of the innovative economic initiatives that we will be seeing more of under the unite and recover plan.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Supported the bill as an important part of the transition to a clean energy future, emphasising both the environmental and jobs benefits.
“This project is delivering clean energy and it is delivering jobs, which is what we desperately need as we move forward.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Acknowledged renewables will play a big part in energy provision but advocated for other energy sources including the Tully-Millstream hydro-electric scheme and cogeneration projects.
“It is fine for the government to look at these wind farms, but I encourage it to look at cogeneration and get these projects up and running.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill for the jobs it would bring to the Wide Bay region, noting over 800 business submissions from companies wanting to work on the wind farm.
“This wind farm is fantastic for the region. Not only will it create jobs during construction but also Forest Wind have had over 800 submissions from businesses that want to supply and work on the wind farm.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
As Minister for State Development, replied to the second reading debate, thanking members for their support and addressing concerns about consultation and transmission line corridors.
“This will be one of the largest wind farms in the whole of the southern hemisphere.”— 2020-08-12View Hansard
▸In Detail12 Aug 2020View Hansard
Government amendments (Nos 1-19) to the Springfield Structure Plan provisions of the bill, including adding Queensland Urban Utilities involvement in planning applications, changing 'consistent' to 'generally consistent' for development compliance, updating dispute resolution procedures, and clarifying transitional provisions.