Queensland Introduces Stricter Regulations for Renewable Energy Projects

In May 2025, the Queensland Government introduced a landmark reform package aimed at strengthening the state’s planning framework for large-scale renewable energy projects, particularly wind and solar farms. The proposed legislation—the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025—seeks to ensure that the rapid expansion of clean energy infrastructure is matched by meaningful community engagement and social accountability. At the heart of the reform is the requirement for developers to conduct comprehensive Social Impact Assessments (SIAs), evaluating a range of factors such as workforce dynamics, local housing impacts, business procurement opportunities, and overall effects on community well-being.