Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), Media Release, 5 July 2023
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has released a new toolkit to provide information and practical guidance for landholders considering hosting a renewable energy project on their property.
The Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit (the Toolkit) has been developed in partnership with the Queensland Government and provides detailed considerations for landholders to think through during the various stages of a renewable energy infrastructure development.
Private sector investment and various state government initiatives, including the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and Queensland SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint, identify strong growth ahead for Queensland due to the state’s clean energy transition ambitions.
The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan has set targets to reach 70 per cent renewable energy by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035 which will require approximately 580,200 hectares of land.
QFF CEO Jo Sheppard said that as the state prepares for growth in the renewable energy sector, an increasing number of landholders are being approached to host projects on their land, and it is essential that they are fully informed of the potential benefits as well as potential risks.
“The Toolkit is an important resource for landholders as they work through their decision-making process. It will guide them through the initial stages of being approached by developers right through to the next steps should they decide to proceed with a development on their property,” said Ms Sheppard.
“There is much for a landholder to consider before entering into an agreement. It is also important for landholders to understand that they can say no to hosting a wind or solar farm development. However, in doing so, it is important to understand what impacts may still present should developments take place in their local community.
“Our hope is that this Toolkit assists landholders to make informed decisions when considering hosting renewable energy projects on their land.”
The Toolkit has been developed through consultation with various stakeholder groups including renewable energy project developers, government bodies, legal and financial professionals, and landholders.
The information within the Toolkit is also relevant to communities where projects are being proposed, highlighting the opportunities and potential impacts for neighbouring farms.
“There is a focus throughout the Toolkit on community engagement, social license to operate and benefit sharing arrangements that both landholders and developers should be considering. It is important to ensure landholders and rural communities more broadly are able to have a say and benefit from the renewable energy rollout,” said Ms Sheppard.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni:
“This Toolkit will benefit rural landholders and the farming industry for decades to come, and will be key to forming successful partnerships with renewable developers.
“One of the great benefits of working with renewable energy developers, is that farmers can diversify returns for their property, and ensure a steady stream of income regardless of seasonal conditions.”
The Toolkit contains:
- Detailed checklists to use throughout developer negotiation processes.
- Practical guidance for each stage of a renewable energy project development.
- Insights from legal and financial professionals, government bodies and landholders who have undertaken these processes themselves.
- Information on benefit sharing, community engagement and social license considerations.
- Extensive resources.
“I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the project steering committee, the individual farmers, the Queensland Government and all stakeholders who have given their time and expertise to help develop this resource for landholders in Queensland,” said Ms Sheppard.
“As competing land use intensifies across the State, careful land use planning and informed decision making is becoming more and more important. QFF will continue to work with our members to support Queensland farmers as they navigate the opportunities and challenges in relation to the renewable energy rollout.”
