In far north Queensland, traditional owners, clean energy developers and conservationists had spent three long years sweating on this decision.
Conservationist and nature photographer Steven Nowakowski, who was strongly opposed, expressed both relief and frustration at the outcome. Simon Corbell, Clean Investor Group CEO, says it's taking several years for assessments of renewable projects to be completed under federal environmental laws."We see many instances where projects are taking several years to achieve an assessment decision and we're also seeing instances where after several years, projects are still being asked for more information well after the time that they've originally lodged," he said.
According to government figures, it's taking around 80 weeks, or 20 months, to reach a final decision under the EPBC Act. For the failed Wooroora Station Wind Farm, a final decision was delayed five times.*Average approval time frame for wind farms only, as QLD data on other projects was not readily available.Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said she had approved 46 clean energy projects since coming to power in 2022.
Ms O'Shanassy wants stronger planning laws and clearer guidelines to ensure "we're not putting renewable energy in places that will damage nature". The often chaotic and ad hoc approach to development has seen tensions arise over land-use, and the planning process bogged down by projects that in some cases, shouldn't be built.