Planning reforms proposed by Wagga Wagga City Council general manager Peter Thompson, which would strengthen protections to farmlands, was endorsed by the council. Photo: Wagga Wagga City Council.
Wagga Wagga City Council has voted to strengthen policies to protect prime agricultural land from renewable energy projects.
Councillors directed council staff to prepare a report by October on how to best reform planning laws to achieve these protections.
The move by council comes after a series of community protests against solar farms and battery storage facilities by landowners.
Wagga Council’s general manager Peter Thompson said the new report would look at the distance solar farms must be from homes.
“So if there’s someone’s home in close proximity to renewable energy facilities such as a solar farm, that solar farm shouldn’t be permitted to proceed ahead,” he said.
“Whether it’s half a kilometre, a kilometre or some other distance, that’s to be developed over the coming months.”
He also wants improved consultation for Wagga residents.
“What the community has discovered is that although they come forward with opposition to proposals, the planning system – as it currently sits – does not really enable them to progress those submissions in opposition with any great figure,” Mr Thompson said.
Wagga farmer Paul Funnell said the new report would be the first step in recognising that prime agricultural land is being carved up without proper checks, without real consultation.
“Let’s be absolutely clear. This report does not fix the democratic deficit we are living in,” he said.
“If anything, it shines a spotlight on just how badly broken the process is.
“Every time a solar factory is proposed, the people who live next door … those people have virtually no say. They’re told this is progress, this is the future.”
Councillor Jenny McKinnon agreed that agricultural land should be protected, but highlighted there was a housing and electricity crisis that could benefit from solar farms.
“We have a housing crisis right now, so new housing and land made available for subdivisions is very welcome,” she said.
“We also have an energy crisis whereby prices for electricity and gas have risen astronomically.
“AEMO [Australian Energy Market Operator] has made it clear that the greater the percentage of renewables in the energy system, the cheaper power becomes. For this reason, we do need renewable energy.”
Council will write to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to fast-track the proposed local protections, and ensure they are considered when assessing state and regionally significant developments.
In addition, council will draft a Community Benefit Policy for electricity generating and storage developments, and prepare a policy to encourage recycling of renewable energy technologies at the Bomen Special Activation Precinct and Gregadoo Waste Management Centre.
“The amendment last night was suggesting that we look for people to actually recycle that technology,” Mr Thompson said.
They will also be looking at improving consultation and communication efforts between councils, developers and residents.
All members on the council voted in favour of the motion and will prioritise the planning work, with Mr Thompson to provide a progress report in October.
Mr Thompson confirmed all renewables projects already approved, including Burkes Creek, would not be impacted.
“It won’t be a blanket prohibition of renewable energy facilities in the local government area,” Mr Thompson said.
“It will simply be identifying with some strength areas where we don’t want renewable energy facilities.”
