Some coalmines could face an easier approvals process than renewable energy projects under a proposed crackdown on windfarms in Queensland, according to an environmental group.
The deputy premier, Jarrod Bleijie, introduced legislation into state parliament on Thursday requiring all green energy developers to undertake community consultation and making them subject to legal challenge.
A second leg of the bill would also exempt sporting facilities planned for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics from a swathe of planning laws – including a 60,000 seat stadium on a heritage-listed massacre site – making the government’s multibillion-dollar construction program immune to legal challenge.
Queensland Conservation Council director, Dave Copeman, criticised the government’s move to toughen legislation around renewable energy projects while at the same time a “loophole” in state legislation means some coalmines producing less than 2m tonnes a year aren’t required to obtain a state environmental impact statement (EIS). They might still be required to get one under the federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
He said the government’s overall approach – including a decision to keep coal power stations open longer – would slow the transition to renewables.
Central Queensland community advocate Paul Stephenson said the loophole has meant a mine near his family farm at Monto, 150 kilometres south of Gladstone, hasn’t been required to formally consult with local landholders.
“It just doesn’t pass the pub test, right? Why should a solar farm be held to a higher standard, with more stringent conditions than an open cut coalmine?” he said.
He said numerous communities had been threatened by coalmines not required to undertake consultation due to a lack of a state EIS.
Bleijie said the legislation implemented an election promise that green projects “would be subject to the same rigorous approval process as other major resource developments”.
It requires all renewables proponents to conduct a social impact assessment and enter into a community benefit agreement with local councils before lodging a development application.
In Queensland, wind projects are currently treated as code assessable, the less strict regulatory process. The new legislation makes them impact assessable, which means proponents are required to undertake public consultation and makes them subject to lawsuits from opponents.
“Under these changes, regional communities will finally be in the driver’s seat when it comes to renewable energy projects in their back yard,” Bleijie said.
Another section of the bill would “streamline the planning approvals process” for infrastructure for the Olympics, he said.
The bill provides that any Games-related development is not subject to approval under a dozen planning laws, including the Planning Act.
Opposition group Save Victoria Park is fundraising for a legal challenge to the Games’ main stadium.
Spokesperson Rosemary O’Hagan said the government planned to “bulldoze the city’s planning, environment, nature and heritage laws”.
“It’s a slap in the face to the community, and to democracy,” she said.
The plan violates two election campaign promises, as the premier, David Crisafulli, had promised not to build any new stadiums for the Olympics, and not to build one in Victoria Park, while vying to unseat the then Labor government at October’s poll.
Minister for the Olympics and Paralympics, Tim Mander, said not passing the legislation would put “at risk our ability to be able to build the infrastructure that’s required”.
Planning approval is due for completion in the third quarter of next year, according to the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority. On Thursday Mander said “those targets will be met”.
Exempting stadiums from development rules set a “worrying” “precedent” for other projects, such as resources schemes, the QCC’s Copeman said.
The government also plans to amend or repeal the state’s renewable energy target.
