Queensland farmers and their communities are one step closer to getting the responsible and balanced approach to the large scale solar expansion in the state thanks to the 18-month campaign by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and industry members.
The release of the Queensland Solar Farm Planning Guidelines by the State Government has been welcomed by QFF as a good first step in properly managing solar expansion while maintaining and protecting prime agricultural land.
QFF President Stuart Armitage praised the State Government for working alongside QFF in addressing coexistence land use issues between the sectors.
“Unfortunately, a situation had developed in Queensland where inconsistent council solar planning assessments as well as avoidable impacts to tax-payer funded assets such as irrigation channels was creating significant coexistence issues,” said Mr. Armitage.
“The rapid development of large-scale solar directly impacted high value and irrigated agricultural land with over 40% 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.”
“QFF thank the government for delivering this positive outcome for the both the solar industry and Queensland’s directly or indirectly affected landowners.”
“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.”
Consultation on the new Queensland Solar Farm Planning Guidelines closes on 11 May 2018 see https://www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/gi/consultation/4953/view.html
There are also a number of community forums:
- Bundaberg – 18 April 2018
- Dalby – 19 April 2018
- Emerald – 26 April 2018
- Mackay – 2 May 2018
- Townsville – 3 May 2018