Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill introduces a community benefit system requiring developers of prescribed projects (initially renewable energy developments) to assess social impacts and negotiate agreements with local governments before lodging planning applications. It also restructures the governance and delivery framework for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and makes administrative changes to Economic Development Queensland.
Who it affects
Communities near renewable energy projects will gain formal input into social impacts and benefit-sharing before development applications are lodged. Communities near 2032 Olympic venue sites will see construction proceed under streamlined approvals that bypass standard planning and environmental laws.
Community benefit system for planning
Creates a new requirement for developers of prescribed projects to conduct a social impact assessment and negotiate a community benefit agreement with the local government before lodging a development application. The system is aimed at renewable energy projects and is designed to build social licence with host communities upfront.
- Developers of prescribed projects must complete a social impact assessment and community benefit agreement before lodging a development application
- Local governments negotiate community benefit agreements that can include infrastructure, training programs or financial contributions for affected communities
- A mediation process is available if the developer and local government cannot reach agreement
- The chief executive can waive the requirement or direct conditions to be imposed on any development approval
- Third parties cannot appeal conditions related to social impacts - only the applicant can
Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games delivery
Restructures the Games governance to focus the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority (GIICA) on delivering venues, reduces the Corporation Board size, and declares all Games venue construction and transport infrastructure lawful regardless of 15 identified state laws. An alternative cultural heritage management process is provided for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage matters.
- All Games venue construction and transport infrastructure is declared lawful, bypassing planning, environmental, heritage and other approval requirements under 15 state laws
- An alternative cultural heritage process allows negotiation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties, with a default plan if agreement cannot be reached
- GIICA is refocused on delivering authority venues and must seek state government funding allocations
- The Corporation Board is reduced from up to 22 members to approximately 15, with local councils gaining direct representation
- A Games Leadership Group is established as the senior decision-making body, and a Queensland Government observer attends all Corporation Board meetings
- The $7.1 billion authority venues budget and $3.5 billion villages budget are identified
Economic Development Queensland governance
Simplifies the appointment and removal procedures for the CEO and board members of Economic Development Queensland, and allows government board members to attend meetings by proxy.
- The Governor in Council can remove the CEO, acting CEO, executive officers and board members at any time
- Government board members can attend meetings by proxy and the proxy counts towards quorum
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee1 May 2025View Hansard
Referred to State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee
6 members · Chair: Jim McDonald
The State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee examined the bill over seven weeks, receiving over 700 submissions and conducting four public hearings in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Biloela. The committee recommended the bill be passed, finding broad support for introducing a community benefit system for large-scale renewable energy projects, though stakeholders raised concerns about practical implementation. The committee also accepted the bill's streamlined planning pathway for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure and changes to Economic Development Queensland governance, though several of these positions were not unanimous.
Key findings (5)
- There was broad stakeholder support for a community benefit system requiring social impact assessments and community benefit agreements for wind farms and large-scale solar farms, though concerns were raised about practical implementation, timing and mandatory requirements.
- Local governments called for dedicated state-funded guidance, tools and resources to support their new role in assessing social impact assessments and negotiating community benefit agreements with developers.
- The renewable energy industry, legal stakeholders and the Queensland Labor Opposition raised concerns that the bill was introduced without a Regulatory Impact Statement, adequate consultation, or alignment with the existing Draft Renewables Regulatory Framework.
- The bill's Olympic infrastructure provisions drew significant opposition regarding the removal of environmental, planning and heritage assessment requirements, restrictions on legal proceedings, and the impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage.
- The committee considered that Battery Energy Storage Systems and solar farm generation thresholds should be further considered in the finalisation of the draft Planning Regulation.
Recommendations (1)
- The committee recommends that the Bill be passed.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading25 June 2025View Hansard
That the bill be read a second time
Vote on whether to advance the bill to the Consideration in Detail stage. The LNP and KAP voted in favour. The ALP, Greens and independents voted against, opposing the bill's approach to renewable energy regulation and Olympic infrastructure planning exemptions.
The motion passed.
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Ayes (50)
Noes (36)
▸1 procedural vote
Vote to end debate
Procedural vote moved by the Deputy Premier to close debate on the ALP's reasoned amendment, which proposed withdrawing the bill and splitting it into two separate bills dealing with renewable energy and Olympic infrastructure respectively. The LNP voted in favour of closing debate; opposition parties opposed.
Debate was ended and a vote was forced.
A procedural vote to end debate and force an immediate decision. Sometimes called a “gag motion”.
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Ayes (48)
Noes (34)
▸21 members spoke11 support10 oppose
As minister, introduced the bill delivering on the government's election commitment to make renewable energy projects impact assessable, require social impact assessments and community benefit agreements, and streamline planning for Brisbane 2032 Olympic infrastructure.
“These are nation-leading laws to deliver on our commitment to empower regional communities on renewable energy developments and ensure long-lasting legacy benefits are locked in from any new project, at the time of approval, if the community wants it.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
As deputy opposition leader, moved a reasoned amendment to withdraw the bill and split it into two separate bills. Argued the bill will suppress renewable energy investment, raise electricity prices, trample community rights for Olympic infrastructure, and remove diversity requirements from the Olympic board.
“In their ideological pursuit against renewables, this government has introduced a bill that will have devastating impacts on Queensland, with regional Queensland hit the hardest.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing it imposes higher regulatory hurdles on renewable energy than on coal and gas projects, removes environmental and heritage protections for Olympic infrastructure, and will suppress investment and increase power prices.
“This bill will do away with that. The Deputy Premier has inferred that the opposition is trying to block the Olympics in speaking against this bill, which is an absurd argument.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
As committee chair, supported the bill, highlighting the over 1,100 submissions received and widespread support from local governments. Argued the bill ensures renewable energy proponents cannot use confidential non-disclosure agreements to circumvent community consultation.
“The intended consequences of this bill are to see social impact agreements and community benefit agreements put together with councils so that proponents of renewable energy projects cannot, in a clandestine fashion, get confidential non-binding agreements and then go forward.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, focusing on the repeal of diversity requirements for the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee board, calling it a deliberate step backwards on gender equality and Indigenous representation.
“This kind of decision is getting eerily similar to Trump issuing orders to cut diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the public and private sectors.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Supported the bill as restoring fairness to the planning system, ensuring renewable energy proponents earn social licence, and delivering the 2032 Olympic legacy after 1,200 days of delay under Labor.
“This bill mandates that all renewable energy proponents must earn social licence—consult, agree and deliver real benefits before a project gets off the ground.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing the LNP has a double standard on community consultation—demanding it for renewable energy but removing it for Olympic projects. Cited Queensland Treasury data showing wind turbines are responsible for less than 0.01% of bird deaths.
“Guess where I found this information. It was on Queensland Treasury's webpage, updated under this government. Anyone who gets up and bleats about bird-killing wind turbines will have the Treasurer to deal with.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing the renewable energy provisions are specifically designed to obstruct clean energy while the Olympic provisions demolish environmental protections, heritage laws and civil proceedings rights at Barrambin (Victoria Park).
“I have long advocated for community involvement in planning decisions, including decisions about renewables... but consultation and assessment should apply equally to all large developments with potential for significant social impacts.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Strongly supported the bill from direct experience in his electorate with the Moonlight Range Wind Farm and Clarke Creek projects. Highlighted the overwhelming community opposition to poorly consulted renewable energy projects.
“It was a perfect example of the types of projects that were dividing regional communities and not treating them with the respect they deserve.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing the community benefit system creates burdensome requirements without proper resourcing for councils, and the Olympic provisions remove essential environmental and heritage protections.
“The Queensland Labor opposition is and always has been a strong supporter of renewable energy, environmental protections and community-driven development.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, particularly the Victoria Park stadium proposal and the removal of environmental and legal protections for Olympic infrastructure. Argued the bill restricts civil proceedings rights.
“This bill also introduces a planning framework for renewable energy that will suppress the investment and approvals for wind and solar farms in this state.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing the renewable energy provisions will deter investment, increase energy prices and harm working-class Queenslanders, while the Olympic provisions remove essential safeguards.
“Numerous submitters to this inquiry warned us that the bill will add fewer energy projects to the grid and will dry up investment in projects in the regions.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, emphasising the importance of community consultation for renewable energy projects and the Olympic legacy for regional Queensland.
“Under this bill, renewable energy projects will finally be impact assessable, subject to the same scrutiny as mining and other major developments.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, welcoming the community benefit framework for renewable energy projects and the Olympic legacy for regional Queensland including sailing in the Whitsundays.
“These reforms will allow and facilitate EDQ to be agile, to be responsive and to be able to deliver where we need them to deliver, and that is bring forward development that is going to deliver not just economic outcomes but housing supply across our state.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Supported the bill as a regional member passionate about property rights, sharing extensive local experience with solar and wind project impacts in the Callide electorate.
“One of my key principles is my belief in the property rights that underpin what this nation was built upon.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, endorsing the Olympic delivery framework, the community benefit system for renewable energy, and amendments to the QBCC Act to protect home owners under the Home Warranty Scheme.
“These amendments will restore the original intent of the scheme, confirm the validity of past QBCC actions and ensure consumers are protected moving forward, regardless of the formality of their contract.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, arguing the LNP is playing tricks to obstruct renewable energy while claiming to listen to councils. Cited the Bar Association's warning about High Court challenges to the bill's provisions.
“Imagine being the next LNP candidate in my community who has to walk around explaining to the good voters of Greenslopes that the LNP government has made it harder for renewable energy projects to get off the ground.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, highlighting the Olympic legacy for Moreton Bay including a new stadium at the Petrie USC campus, and the need for community benefit agreements for renewable energy projects.
“For too long, regional and rural Queenslanders have hosted large-scale renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms without adequate consultation, transparency or community benefit.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
As transport minister, supported the bill's Olympic infrastructure amendments, outlining transport priorities including the Wave rail project, Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail, and Coomera Connector.
“These amendments are not just administrative adjustments; they are critical enablers for the successful delivery of the Brisbane 2032 games.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Opposed the bill, accusing the government of having a double standard on consultation—imposing higher hurdles on renewables than coal and gas while removing all consultation for Olympic projects. Questioned the Deputy Premier's personal interest in axing a Birtinya affordable housing project.
“The LNP have more positions, frankly, on community consultation than a gymnastics final and none of them stick the landing.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
Supported the bill, speaking about a proposed wind farm in his electorate and the need for regional communities to have greater consultation rights.
“Why should a family living in a regional town have fewer rights than someone living in a city suburb when it comes to major developments in their own backyard?”— 2025-06-25View Hansard
▸In Detail25 June 2025View Hansard
Opposition amendment No. 2 to clause 15 requiring that development must not start until a social impact assessment report and community benefit agreement have been given to the assessment manager, ensuring the community benefit system is a genuine precondition rather than a parallel process.
That the amendment be agreed to
Vote on ALP opposition amendment No. 2 to clause 15, moved by Mr Dick, requiring that development must not start until a social impact assessment report and community benefit agreement have been given to the assessment manager. Defeated with the government voting against.
The motion was defeated.
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Ayes (34)
Noes (48)
Opposition amendments to clause 53 regarding Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games governance provisions, seeking to retain accountability and oversight mechanisms.
That the amendments be agreed to
Vote on ALP opposition amendments to clause 53 regarding Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games governance provisions. Defeated with the government voting against.
The motion was defeated.
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Ayes (35)
Noes (50)
Opposition amendment seeking leave to move outside the long title to retain the requirement that 50% of Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee nominated directors be women and at least one be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
Vote to grant leave
Vote on whether to grant Mr Dick leave to move an amendment outside the long title of the bill regarding Olympic Games provisions, seeking to retain diversity requirements for the organising committee board. Leave denied with the government voting against.
Permission was refused.
A vote on whether to grant permission — for example, to introduce an amendment or vary normal procedure.
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Ayes (37)
Noes (47)
Government amendments covering a range of matters including: AOC board representation, Commonwealth vice-president on corporation board, public servant exemptions, infrastructure charges validation, South-East Queensland water charges, Queensland Home Warranty Scheme consumer protections for informal contracts, and regional plan consultation timeframes.