Published on:
Friday, 19 December, 2025
The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) is introducing a draft Renewable Energy Planning Code and Guidelines to provide a clear and consistent framework for assessing energy infrastructure that supports the generation, storage and transmission of renewable energy across Western Australia.
The draft Code proposes consistent development standards and application requirements for renewable energy projects, supported by Guidelines that explain how applicants and decision-makers can meet these requirements.
Its objectives are to guide the development of energy infrastructure in WA to support a sustainable energy supply, minimise land use conflicts and adverse environmental impacts, and promote context sensitive design and orderly planning.
Initially focused on wind farms, the Code has flexibility to expand to other renewable energy developments in the future, including solar farms and battery energy storage systems.
The Code addresses key planning issues such as safety, noise, shadow flicker, landscape and visual impact, natural environment, natural hazards, aviation safety, electromagnetic interference, transport, construction, and decommissioning.
Development applications must include detailed technical reports, whilst community benefit-sharing agreements are encouraged but are proposed to remain outside the planning framework.
To enable implementation, legislative amendments are proposed to the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 and the Planning and Development (Significant Development) Regulations 2024.
The proposed changes to the Local Planning Schemes Regulations will:
Consultation on the draft Code and Guidelines closes Friday, 10 April 2026. Further information on the draft Renewable Energy Planning Code can be found on Have Your Say, WA!.
WALGA encourages Local Governments to make their own submissions on the draft Code and to provide feedback to WALGA to inform our submission on behalf of the sector by Friday, 27 February 2026. Council endorsed submissions are preferred.
WALGA will be hosting an online information session for Local Government officers on the draft Code alongside the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) on Thursday, 5 February 2026.
WALGA are also working with DPLH to facilitate their attendance at Zone meetings and an online information session for Elected Members in February. Details of this will follow in a January edition of LG Direct.
The draft Code proposes consistent development standards and application requirements for renewable energy projects, supported by Guidelines that explain how applicants and decision-makers can meet these requirements.
Its objectives are to guide the development of energy infrastructure in WA to support a sustainable energy supply, minimise land use conflicts and adverse environmental impacts, and promote context sensitive design and orderly planning.
Initially focused on wind farms, the Code has flexibility to expand to other renewable energy developments in the future, including solar farms and battery energy storage systems.
The Code addresses key planning issues such as safety, noise, shadow flicker, landscape and visual impact, natural environment, natural hazards, aviation safety, electromagnetic interference, transport, construction, and decommissioning.
Development applications must include detailed technical reports, whilst community benefit-sharing agreements are encouraged but are proposed to remain outside the planning framework.
To enable implementation, legislative amendments are proposed to the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 and the Planning and Development (Significant Development) Regulations 2024.
The proposed changes to the Local Planning Schemes Regulations will:
- Introduce Model Provisions to facilitate incorporation of the Code into local planning schemes.
- Clarify the interaction between the Code and local planning policies.
- Require Local Governments to give due regard to an approved planning code when determining development applications.
- Define renewable and green energy-related land uses; and
- Introduce development approval requirements for single houses and other noise-sensitive uses within two kilometres of wind farms.
Consultation on the draft Code and Guidelines closes Friday, 10 April 2026. Further information on the draft Renewable Energy Planning Code can be found on Have Your Say, WA!.
WALGA encourages Local Governments to make their own submissions on the draft Code and to provide feedback to WALGA to inform our submission on behalf of the sector by Friday, 27 February 2026. Council endorsed submissions are preferred.
WALGA will be hosting an online information session for Local Government officers on the draft Code alongside the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) on Thursday, 5 February 2026.
WALGA are also working with DPLH to facilitate their attendance at Zone meetings and an online information session for Elected Members in February. Details of this will follow in a January edition of LG Direct.
