November 20, 2025
Toowoomba Regional Council has adopted a “Community Benefit Agreement Policy” in a bid to ensure long-term community benefits from renewable energy developments.
A Council spokesperson said the new framework was part of the TRC’s response to the State Government’s Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, which now requires large renewable energy projects to include a Social Impact Assessment and Community Benefit Agreement.
Mayor Geoff McDonald said the TRC was one of the first councils in Queensland to adopt a policy under the new legislation.
“The policy gives local communities confidence that renewable projects will contribute meaningfully to the places that host them,” he said.
“It makes sure project impacts are properly managed and that the people from host communities share in the long-term benefits.
“Our goal is to secure enduring, intergenerational outcomes, projects that strengthen our regional communities and help them thrive for decades to come.”
Under the new policy, Council is requiring proponents to undertake action across two streams:
- Stream 1 is focused on ensuring mandatory mitigation measures are delivered, ie. addressing direct impacts such as workforce, housing and infrastructure pressures.
- Stream 2 establishes a long-term legacy stream such as developing long-term housing as an economic enabler for small-town revitalisation and sustainable regional growth.
Council officers will use the new policy to guide discussions with renewable energy proponents over coming months.
