Agricultural stakeholders are advocating for a role in the negotiations between the Whitsunday Regional Council and renewable energy firms, citing worries that inadequate policies and agreements could have lasting repercussions for rural communities.
The council is in the process of formulating its own community benefit agreement (CBA) policy, emphasizing that community involvement will be crucial in its development.
Farmers from North Queensland express a desire to influence how renewable energy companies interact with local councils, fearing that poorly structured agreements may adversely affect agricultural land and rural populations.
In July 2025, new legislation from the Queensland government mandated that projects exceeding 1 megawatt must conduct a social impact assessment and negotiate a CBA with councils prior to receiving approval.
The Whitsunday Regional Council is currently developing its CBA policy to guarantee that local communities reap benefits from renewable energy initiatives.
Alysha and Darren Lee, sugarcane farmers from the Crystalbrook region within the Whitsundays, stress the importance of getting the policy right from the outset. Their concerns are amplified by a petition they initiated, which has garnered over 4,000 signatures opposing the proposed location of Alinta Energy’s Mt Challenger Wind Farm, situated near agricultural and livestock zones between Proserpine and Bowen.
According to Ms. Lee, a robust and transparent policy from the council should mandate a minimum distance of 3 kilometers from property borders for wind and solar farm projects. She also insists that renewable energy firms should set aside decommissioning funds prior to the commencement of any projects.
“We need strategic planning to determine suitable locations for these projects, along with adequate safeguards before any approvals are granted,” she stated.
Community benefit agreements are intended to ensure that local communities obtain discernible advantages, such as funding for infrastructure projects, from significant renewable energy developments while allowing councils to manage local impacts.
However, some residents question whether these agreements can truly mitigate negative effects if a project is initially sited inappropriately.
Pressure is mounting in designated renewable energy zones, with Ms. Lee noting that five renewable energy projects have been proposed for the Crystalbrook and Kelsey Creek area, which she believes places undue stress on the community even before any approvals are granted.
“The anxiety and time commitment required for this process have already become a full-time job,” she remarked. “It jeopardizes our property values, livelihoods, and farming practices, and creates significant uncertainty about our future — especially for my children, who might wish to pursue farming.”
While she mentioned that many community members are not against renewable energy, they advocate for projects to be situated in more suitable locations.
The Whitsunday Regional Council is committed to community engagement in the creation of its CBA policy, which will dictate how it negotiates future agreements with renewable energy developers. Paul Hanlon, the council’s manager of investment attraction and growth, stated that the policy is still in progress, and community feedback will be integral to its formulation.
“There is no established timeline for this process yet,” Mr. Hanlon noted. “Getting this right begins with listening, as we aim to gather insights from industry stakeholders, the community, and various government levels to appreciate the diverse perspectives before finalizing any policy.”
Mr. Hanlon pointed out that councils are increasingly tasked with addressing complex issues relating to land use, infrastructure, and social impacts as renewable energy projects proliferate in regional Australia. “Agriculture is vital to our region, and it’s essential that any forthcoming policy effectively balances land use while safeguarding long-term economic viability,” he emphasized.
The Isaac Regional Council, a neighboring entity, implemented a CBA policy in September and has already developed guidelines for two renewable energy initiatives in its area. Mayor Kelly Vea Vea highlighted that this policy establishes a clear and transparent framework for both the companies and the council.
Mr. Hanlon mentioned that the Whitsunday Regional Council is learning from the experiences of Isaac and Western Downs Councils regarding effective practices and potential challenges. “However, each region has its own uniqueness, so while we can draw lessons from others, our final policy will need to address the specific needs of the Whitsunday region,” he added.
For the Lees, there is a hope that their local council will prioritize community insights and concerns in the policy-making process, as they await details on the commencement of formal consultations.
