Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

As Deputy Premier and Minister sponsoring the bill, strongly advocated for the legislation as delivering on election commitments to empower regional communities on renewable energy developments and fix Labor's 'reckless rush to renewables'. Emphasised restoring community voice in planning and delivering Olympic legacy.

“For too long, Labor's reckless rush to renewables meant local communities and councils were shut out of the approvals process. We know Labor's approach was driven by ideology, not community interests.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Moved reasoned amendment to split the bill into two separate pieces of legislation. Argued the bill conflates distinct policy areas and should be considered separately. Criticised the bill as anti-renewables, anti-transparency and anti-accountability.

“On all the evidence, including the evidence of the submitters who made submissions and spoke before the parliamentary committee, if this bill is passed in its current form it will have perverse and unintended consequences. It is anti renewables, it is anti transparency and it is anti accountability.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

As opposition committee member, criticised the committee process and report for not reflecting stakeholder concerns. Noted over 1,100 submissions were received with none supporting the bill as drafted. Accused the government of controlling the narrative.

“There were over 1,100 submissions received and none of them, as far as I can recall, supported the bill as drafted. They, like us, supported the policy intent of the bill but most, if not all, submitters called out a range of grave concerns for Queensland if this bill were to proceed in this format.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

As committee chair, defended the bill and the committee process. Praised the Olympic delivery plan as world best practice and emphasised the government delivered on election commitments within 100 days.

“These will ensure we have a coordinated, aligned and accountable approach for delivering world-class sporting and tourism infrastructure with tangible outcomes that are tailored to each locality's unique needs.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Strongly criticised the removal of diversity requirements for the Olympic Organising Committee board, including the requirement that half of directors be women and at least one be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

“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. This is the kind of backwards, divisive politics we expect from Trump's America, not a modern, forward-looking Queensland preparing to host the world.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as restoring fairness and community voice in planning for renewable energy projects. Praised the government for delivering in 100 days what Labor failed to achieve in 10 years.

“For too long renewable energy projects could begin with little input from those most impacted. Imagine wind turbines rising taller than skyscrapers—some over 280 metres—transforming country landscapes, yet leaving locals powerless to shape the future of their own neighbourhoods.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Criticised the bill as containing double standards - imposing strict requirements on renewable energy while exempting Olympic projects from scrutiny. As a former electrician and ETU member, defended renewable energy and criticised LNP's antirenewable sentiment.

“It is interesting that the LNP pretends to champion local governments. 'We're listening,' they say; 'They don't want wind farms,' they say. However, when it comes to the Olympics, the LNP cannot trust councils to stay on schedule and cannot trust councils to get it right on planning.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

As committee member, supported the bill while acknowledging he was previously a supporter of the Mount Emerald Wind Farm. Praised the Deputy Premier's foresight and commended the member for Mirani for his advocacy on wind farm impacts.

“I accept that each are an integral part of, but not the only solution to, our responsibility to supply reliable base power to the entire state.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Criticised the bill for imposing unprecedented planning obligations on renewable energy while removing protections for Olympic infrastructure. Argued the bill strips community consultation and court access rights for Olympic projects.

“The bill imposes unprecedented planning obligations on renewable energy projects—requirements that not even coal or gas projects must meet. At the same time, it removes nearly all planning environmental, cultural and community protections for 2032 Olympic infrastructure projects.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

As a key advocate for wind farm reform, strongly supported the bill. Spoke of personal experience as a neighbouring landholder to a wind factory and the anxiety and stress faced by communities impacted by poorly consulted renewable projects.

“I have seen the anxiety, the stress and the toll that takes on the mental health of those who have had these projects sprung on them. These developers would often go quietly to an area, find willing landholders and secure the land for their projects.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Criticised the government for rushing through legislation without adequate modelling, proper consultation or regulatory due diligence. Noted the bill was introduced without a regulatory impact statement.

“Once again we are seeing a government rushing through legislation without adequate modelling, proper consultation or even basic regulatory due diligence. This bill was introduced without a regulatory impact statement.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Criticised the bill as returning to the 'dark old days of Campbell Newman'. While supporting social impact assessments and community benefit agreements in principle, criticised the omnibus approach and ministerial 'blank cheque' powers.

“This bill is yet another example of the Crisafulli government's pattern of broken promises and policy chaos. Broken promise, after broken promise, after broken promise.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as rectifying Labor's reckless renewables approach. Argued rural and regional communities deserve the same respect as suburban communities in planning laws.

“We are calmly and methodically rectifying Labor's reckless renewables approach to plundering our prime agricultural land and compromising our food security. Our rural and regional communities have had enough.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Strongly opposed the bill as 'dragging Queensland back' to unaccountable governance. Criticised the exemption of Olympic projects from 15 separate planning and environmental controls while imposing stricter requirements on renewable energy than coalmines.

“Here we Joh again. This bill is dragging us back to an era of unaccountable, undemocratic and regressive governance that is the hallmark of conservative politics in this state.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as addressing the struggles of Central Queensland communities under not fit-for-purpose planning framework. Argued wind farm structures should not be automatically approved without consultation.

“Wind farm structures are as tall as 1 William Street. Yet no consultation and no rigorous approval process was required. I suggest these projects should not be automatically approved in regional Queensland.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Raised concerns about amendments allowing development under infrastructure designation to proceed without complying with development control plans, particularly impacting the North Lakes golf course protections.

“My question is: does this amendment open up the way for the approval of a development on the North Lakes golf course that contravenes the existing development control plan? I think that is a legitimate question.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Criticised the fundamental incoherence of fusing two distinct policy issues into one bill with diametrically opposed positions - advocating for community consultation for renewables while removing it for Olympics.

“This bill is more of the same that we have come to expect from the LNP. Firstly because of the fundamental incoherence of fusing two significant yet entirely distinct policy issues into a single legislative instrument.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Supported the bill based on thousands of conversations with constituents showing the status quo was not working for rural and regional Queensland. Emphasised belief in property rights underpinning the nation.

“From this, it is clear that the status quo is not working for Queensland. It is not working for rural and regional Queensland—the communities that are the backbone of this state.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Stated Labor supports renewables, communities having their say, and the Olympics, but this bill fails to deliver. Criticised the bill as legally dangerous, environmentally reckless and economically short-sighted.

“The Labor opposition supports renewables, we support communities having their say and we support delivering the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, Queenslanders deserve better than what this bill puts forward.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

As former councillor with water and environment portfolios, supported the bill as a landmark step in reshaping planning framework. Criticised state code 23 for lacking enforceable community consultation requirements.

“A prime example of the shortcomings that this bill addresses is state code 23, which governs wind farm development in Queensland. While well-intentioned, the code has been widely criticised for its lack of enforceable community consultation requirements.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

With a decade of planning experience, criticised the bill as being about ideology rather than planning certainty. Argued the government is undermining clean energy transition by imposing unique framework onto renewable projects.

“Unfortunately, the bill before us is less about planning certainty and more about ideology—and that is a dangerous thing because it would seem that the Crisafulli LNP government is only interested in undermining the clean energy transition in our state.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering stronger community voice in major developments and clearing the way for Olympic legacy projects including Birkdale Community Precinct and Redland Whitewater Centre.

“Critically, for the Redlands it clears the way for Olympic legacy projects like the Birkdale Community Precinct and the Redland Whitewater Centre to progress with certainty and momentum.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Criticised the bill as born of political convenience, rushed drafting and disregard for transparency. Supported the move to split the bills and argued the community benefit framework was unworkable.

“What we have before us today is a bill that does none of those things well. It is a bill born not of thoughtful consultation or strategic reform but of political convenience, rushed drafting and a complete disregard for transparency and good governance.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Supported the Olympics but expressed disappointment at lack of investment in Ipswich West. Criticised the bill for bypassing heritage, environmental and planning safeguards with no transparent criteria.

“Support for the games, however, cannot come at a cost of bypassing long established assessment and approval processes.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Found it hard to reconcile contradictory components - welcomed community benefit system for renewables but criticised it being limited to renewable energy only. Opposed Olympic exemptions from environmental and heritage acts.

“Overall, this bill seems to be one step forward and two steps back. Without amendments, it is difficult to support it in its current form.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Representing one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, supported the bill to ensure Far North Queenslanders have a real say. Cited the Chalumbin wind farm fight near the Wet Tropics World Heritage area.

“Clearing forests to build wind turbines is an oxymoron. The Chalumbin wind farm would have cleared more than 500 hectares of forest next to the Wet Tropics World Heritage area.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Argued the bill is essentially two bills in one with diametrically opposite standards. Accused the LNP of not believing in renewables but lacking political courage to say so. Criticised the chilling effect on renewable projects.

“These changes will have a chilling effect on renewable projects and will have a long-term impact on our environment and for the future of generations to come. Do not be mistaken: these changes are all about the LNP walking away from renewables.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Supported the bill as delivering responsible, community-focused reform. Criticised the former Labor government for presiding over 1,200 days of delay on Olympic planning.

“The former Labor state government failed to see a single shovel in the ground after 1,200 days. They failed to appoint a board to the delivery authority and failed to fund core infrastructure like the athletes villages.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Stated his community supports transitioning to a clean energy future and loved Labor's Energy and Jobs Plan. Criticised the LNP for making it harder for renewable energy projects.

“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

Strongly supported the bill as delivering fairness, opportunity and voice for communities. Praised the bill for ending handshake deals and front-loading responsibility for developers to engage meaningfully.

“It puts an end to the handshake deals and opaque promises. It front-loads responsibility and requires developers to engage early, consult meaningfully and deliver real, lasting benefits.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Criticised the LNP's inconsistent positions on community consultation - championing it for renewables while completely removing it for Olympic infrastructure. Noted the bill contradicts the Deputy Premier's own ministerial charter.

“The LNP have more positions, frankly, on community consultation than a gymnastics final and none of them stick the landing.”— 2025-06-25View Hansard

Spoke on behalf of regional Queensland, arguing communities have been treated as afterthoughts in renewable energy planning. Speech cut short by guillotine.

“Let me ask you this: 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