Darling Downs Environment Council

Media Release:

Tuesday 1st of October

DDEC Welcomes Stricter Renewable Energy Regulations: Guardrails Essential to Protect Nature, Farmland, and Communities

The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) has welcomed the Queensland Government’s announcement of enhanced regulations for renewable energy projects, particularly the strengthened Wind Code and the draft Renewables Regulatory Framework, which is now open for community consultation. DDEC believes this is a key opportunity for locals to have their say and shape the future of renewable energy development in Queensland.

DDEC Coordinator Ahri Tallon praised the government’s steps toward balancing clean energy growth with environmental protection and community engagement. "The new regulations are a critical step forward in ensuring that the renewable energy sector operates within strong guide rails. Community consultation will be essential in shaping these rules to ensure our landscapes, prime farmland, and communities are protected throughout the energy transition," Mr Tallon said.

The DDEC is particularly encouraged by the introduction of the Mandatory Code of Conduct for renewable energy developers, which will impose minimum standards for engagement with landholders, First Nations groups, and rural communities. "This Code of Conduct is a huge win for regional Queenslanders. For too long, communities have been left out of the decision-making process. Now, developers will be held to the highest standards when planning and delivering renewable energy projects," Mr Tallon added.

While celebrating the progress, the DDEC urges the government to speed up bioregional planning to ensure that the most vulnerable ecosystems are properly mapped and protected. "We need to invest further in bioregional planning to ensure we have comprehensive mapping in place to protect critical areas of nature. This planning must guide renewable energy development, ensuring that the natural heritage of Queensland is preserved alongside the rollout of clean energy infrastructure," Mr Tallon emphasised.

The DDEC also calls for stronger protections for prime agricultural land, such as the Condamine Alluvium, from all forms of energy infrastructure—whether renewable, like solar, or nonrenewable, like coal seam gas (CSG). "We cannot afford to sacrifice our most productive farmland in the name of energy development. The Condamine Alluvium and other prime agricultural areas must be safeguarded, regardless of whether the energy source is renewable or fossil-based," Mr Tallon stressed.

Tallon also called for urgent reform of the Environmental Offsets Act, emphasising the need for stronger guidelines around when environmental impacts must be avoided entirely and when offsets are appropriate. "Offsets should only be considered after all avenues to avoid environmental harm have been exhausted. And when offsets are used, they must be well-targeted, properly maintained, and thoroughly monitored to ensure they deliver real environmental benefits," Mr Tallon said.

The draft framework currently open for consultation builds on existing reforms, such as the expanded role of the Energy and Water Ombudsman, stronger requirements for haulage routes, and the exploration of lifecycle planning, including financial assurance for decommissioning. However, DDEC is urging the Queensland Government to make these protections more robust and enforceable.

"We’re pleased to see these improvements, but we must go further. It’s vital that these new protections are not only implemented but enforced with rigour. Renewable energy is the future, but it must be done in a way that respects nature, protects our best farmland, and ensures that rural communities are not left behind," Mr Tallon concluded.

The Darling Downs Environment Council remains committed to advocating for Renewables Done Right, where energy projects coexist with the environment, local economies, and communities in harmony. The DDEC encourages all Queenslanders to participate in the consultation process and help shape a sustainable, equitable clean energy future.