Wind farms

Wind-farm developments can have significant social, economic and environmental impacts on local regional communities. Previously, wind-farm developments have proceeded without mandatory community consultation, unlike other significant projects.

To enable the implementation of the government’s commitment to require wind-farm projects to be impact assessable, and subject to similar approval processes consistent with other land uses like mining and agriculture, regulation changes have been brought into effect on Monday 3 February 2025.

The Planning (Wind Farms) Amendment Regulation 2025 (Amendment Regulation) amends the Planning Regulation 2017 (Planning Regulation) to make all development applications for wind farms under the Planning Act 2016 subject to impact assessment, therefore requiring statutory public consultation and allowing third party appeal rights.

The amendments also give effect to version 3.2 of the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP).

Through local government and the local community becoming an integral part of the assessment process for wind farms, the Queensland Government is providing more opportunities to have your say on important infrastructure projects in your area.

Updates to assessment

The Amendment Regulation alters provisions under Schedule 10, Part 21, Division 2 of the Planning Regulation to make all development applications for material change of use for wind farms subject to impact assessment.

Applications will require public notification, allowing community members and other stakeholders to lodge submissions regarding the proposal, which the assessment manager must consider when making their decision. Additionally, third-party appeal rights will be available.

The Amendment Regulation retains the State Assessment and Referral Agency as the Assessment Manager for development applications for wind farms.

Impact assessment applies to any new wind-farm applications or significant changes to an existing wind-farm approval. However, it does not apply to minor changes to existing wind-farm approvals.

State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP)

The definition of SDAP in Schedule 24 of the Planning Regulation has been updated to give effect to the changes to version 3.2 of the SDAP. Version 3.2 reflects the changes to State Code 23: Wind Farm Development to enhance the assessment benchmarks for wind farms. Access the full schedule of amendments and other planning legislation.

Wind farm application assessments

On 16 January 2025, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning issued a proposed call-in notice for the Moonlight Range Wind Farm near Morinish, northwest of Rockhampton. The notice seeks submissions from the proponent, community and other interested parties about whether the proposed development qualifies as a state interest and should be re-assessed. The representation period is 40 business days closing 14 March 2025.

The Deputy Premier has also issued directions to the Director-General of the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, as the Chief Executive of the Planning Act, to pause the assessment of three other wind farm applications to allow proponents to demonstrate that the appropriate community consultation and impact assessment have been undertaken, in line with the Government’s election commitment. The pause is in effect for four months to 16 May 2025.

The Government will continue to consult on the implementation of its election commitment.