Draft Renewable Energy Community Benefit Framework
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THIS CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 23 August 2023 Council endorsed to place the Draft Renewable Energy Community Benefit Framework on public exhibition for 28 days from Monday 28 August to Monday 25 September 2023.
Council agreed general terms for planning agreements associated with Tilbuster Solar Farm in October 2021 (390/21) and Oxley Solar Farm in August 2022 (163/22). The agreements were in the amount of approximately 1% and 1.63% of the capital value of the projects respectively. Council staff continue to make submissions on State Significant Development Applications lodged with the NSW Government for renewable energy developments, including requests to negotiate community benefits via planning agreements with proponents. With the benefit of the past two years of experience dealing with NSW Government planning policy, EnergyCo and developers it is considered the appropriate time for Council to adopt a policy position in relation to negotiating benefit sharing arrangements with developers. The Draft Framework is proposed to apply to state significant and regionally significant renewable energy projects.
The objectives of the Draft Framework are to promote benefit sharing strategies associated with the development of renewable energy projects in the Armidale Regional Council Local Government Area that:
• secure off-site benefits for the community so that renewable energy development delivers a net community benefit;
• ensure that the wider community share in the benefits resulting from renewable energy development in the LGA;
• ensure that the costs and benefits of renewable energy development will be equitably distributed within the community and inter-generationally.
The Draft Framework draws a clear position from Council that the minimum community benefit threshold is 1.5% of the capital value of the development. Projects that do not deliver community benefits above this threshold are likely to be considered not in the public interest and by extension Council could object to these developments on public interest grounds. The Draft Framework provides flexibility in terms of the public purpose for which community benefit funds will be applied given that Council will be negotiating on a project by project basis over the coming decade. The Draft Framework also provides for some general governance terms and foreshadows that Council will seek to ensure that the benefits of renewable energy projects do not accrue only to a particular section of the community or only for this generation at the exclusion of future generations.
Submissions ARE NOW CLOSED.
Submissions must be received by Monday 25 September 2023
Please be aware that if you make a submission, other people may have access to your comments. This may be as a result of a report to a Council meeting or as part of an application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. Also, under State legislation, any person making a submission on a Draft LEP amendment must also disclose whether they or an ‘associate’ have made a ‘reportable political donation’ or gift to a local Councillor or Council employee within the period commencing two years before any submission is made and ending when the Draft LEP is determined. Further details including disclosure forms are available on request from Council.
THIS CONSULTATION IS NOW CLOSED
At the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 23 August 2023 Council endorsed to place the Draft Renewable Energy Community Benefit Framework on public exhibition for 28 days from Monday 28 August to Monday 25 September 2023.
Council agreed general terms for planning agreements associated with Tilbuster Solar Farm in October 2021 (390/21) and Oxley Solar Farm in August 2022 (163/22). The agreements were in the amount of approximately 1% and 1.63% of the capital value of the projects respectively. Council staff continue to make submissions on State Significant Development Applications lodged with the NSW Government for renewable energy developments, including requests to negotiate community benefits via planning agreements with proponents. With the benefit of the past two years of experience dealing with NSW Government planning policy, EnergyCo and developers it is considered the appropriate time for Council to adopt a policy position in relation to negotiating benefit sharing arrangements with developers. The Draft Framework is proposed to apply to state significant and regionally significant renewable energy projects.
The objectives of the Draft Framework are to promote benefit sharing strategies associated with the development of renewable energy projects in the Armidale Regional Council Local Government Area that:
• secure off-site benefits for the community so that renewable energy development delivers a net community benefit;
• ensure that the wider community share in the benefits resulting from renewable energy development in the LGA;
• ensure that the costs and benefits of renewable energy development will be equitably distributed within the community and inter-generationally.
The Draft Framework draws a clear position from Council that the minimum community benefit threshold is 1.5% of the capital value of the development. Projects that do not deliver community benefits above this threshold are likely to be considered not in the public interest and by extension Council could object to these developments on public interest grounds. The Draft Framework provides flexibility in terms of the public purpose for which community benefit funds will be applied given that Council will be negotiating on a project by project basis over the coming decade. The Draft Framework also provides for some general governance terms and foreshadows that Council will seek to ensure that the benefits of renewable energy projects do not accrue only to a particular section of the community or only for this generation at the exclusion of future generations.
Submissions ARE NOW CLOSED.
Submissions must be received by Monday 25 September 2023
Please be aware that if you make a submission, other people may have access to your comments. This may be as a result of a report to a Council meeting or as part of an application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. Also, under State legislation, any person making a submission on a Draft LEP amendment must also disclose whether they or an ‘associate’ have made a ‘reportable political donation’ or gift to a local Councillor or Council employee within the period commencing two years before any submission is made and ending when the Draft LEP is determined. Further details including disclosure forms are available on request from Council.
Page last updated: 26 Sep 2023, 09:09 AM
Draft Renewable Energy Community Benefit Framework
