March 19, 2018
The Queensland Farmers Federation has welcomed the release of proposed new planning guidelines for solar farms in Queensland.
Consultations on the new guidelines close on May 11.
The QFF says the guidelines are “one step closer to getting the responsible and balanced approach to the large scale solar expansion in the State” and “a good first step in properly managing solar expansion while maintaining and protecting prime agricultural land”.
QFF President Stuart Armitage said the release of the guidelines followed an 18-month campaign by the QFF and industry members.
“Unfortunately, a situation had developed in Queensland where inconsistent council solar planning assessments as well as avoidable impacts to taxpayer funded assets such as irrigation channels was creating significant coexistence issues,” Mr Armitage said.
“The rapid development of large-scale solar directly impacted high value and irrigated agricultural land with over 40 per cent of approved sites taking prime agricultural land out of production.”
“QFF’s advocacy, submissions and work with government departments resulted in the development of the appropriate guidelines for large-scale solar facilities.
“Now the first step in releasing the guidelines has taken place it is important that the State Government and industry continue to work with QFF and stakeholders to get the balance between solar expansion and protecting prime agricultural land right.”
“It is essential that the best practice outlined in the solar guidelines are retrospectively applied to existing developments, particularly where planning conditions are not appropriate or enforceable.”
“We must also better understand the impacts of continuous shading, weed suppression and other operational requirements associated with large-scale solar facilities so high value agricultural land already being utilised can be restored back to agricultural production.”
“QFF submitted a proposal to government for monitoring the long-term impacts of soil-microbial health on land used for solar that we hope to see approved soon.”
The State Government has organised a series of community forums to discuss the guidelines.
They will be held at:
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- Bundaberg (April 18)
- Dalby (April 19)
- Emerald (April 26)
- Mackay (May 2)
- Townsville (May 3)
For more information about the consultation process, visit the State Government’s Get Involved website
