Published on:
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
Key Points
WALGA welcomes the Nationals’ announcement that if elected they will implement a comprehensive State Planning Policy for renewable energy projects and ensure regional communities are consulted, considered, and will benefit from the wave of renewable developments proposed across Western Australia.
The announcement supports WALGA’s 2025 State Election Priorities and advocacy calling for a comprehensive framework and a new State Planning Policy to guide the energy transition, ensure that impacts of these projects are managed and that they deliver long-term benefits to local communities.
WALGA supports the mandating of community impact assessments and the need for Local Governments to have a formal role in assessing these projects.
Project proponents are actively pursuing opportunities in many rural, remote, and regional areas, focusing on renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms, tree planting for carbon offsets and biodiversity, and biofuel production.
There is currently no coordinated approach to integrating these investments into existing communities and industries, leaving individual Local Governments and their communities to ‘reinvent the wheel’ in their efforts to achieve the best outcomes for their communities.
“Local Governments want to make sure these projects deliver economic, social, and environmental outcomes, providing real and lasting benefits for the local communities that host them,” said WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP.
“It is essential that Local Governments are involved from the outset, to help to plan and deliver the infrastructure needed because of these projects."
WALGA’s 2025 State Election Priorities calls for the establishment of a comprehensive, Statewide strategy to facilitate the development of large-scale renewable energy projects across WA, to manage the impacts and maximise the benefits of renewable energy for the State’s communities, economy and environment.
To arrange an interview with WALGA, please contact WALGA Acting Manager Media and Communications Taysha Sullivan on 0448 896 435 or via [email protected]
- The Nationals have announced that if elected they will implement a comprehensive State Planning Policy for renewable energy projects and ensure that regional communities are consulted, considered, and benefit from renewable developments proposed across Western Australia.
- WALGA has long advocated for a comprehensive, Statewide strategy to facilitate the development of large-scale renewable energy projects across WA.
- Local Governments are actively involved in the development, approval and regulation of major renewable energy projects, and must be part of this strategy to ensure both communities and the environment benefit from the energy transition.
WALGA welcomes the Nationals’ announcement that if elected they will implement a comprehensive State Planning Policy for renewable energy projects and ensure regional communities are consulted, considered, and will benefit from the wave of renewable developments proposed across Western Australia.
The announcement supports WALGA’s 2025 State Election Priorities and advocacy calling for a comprehensive framework and a new State Planning Policy to guide the energy transition, ensure that impacts of these projects are managed and that they deliver long-term benefits to local communities.
WALGA supports the mandating of community impact assessments and the need for Local Governments to have a formal role in assessing these projects.
Project proponents are actively pursuing opportunities in many rural, remote, and regional areas, focusing on renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms, tree planting for carbon offsets and biodiversity, and biofuel production.
There is currently no coordinated approach to integrating these investments into existing communities and industries, leaving individual Local Governments and their communities to ‘reinvent the wheel’ in their efforts to achieve the best outcomes for their communities.
“Local Governments want to make sure these projects deliver economic, social, and environmental outcomes, providing real and lasting benefits for the local communities that host them,” said WALGA President Karen Chappel AM JP.
“It is essential that Local Governments are involved from the outset, to help to plan and deliver the infrastructure needed because of these projects."
WALGA’s 2025 State Election Priorities calls for the establishment of a comprehensive, Statewide strategy to facilitate the development of large-scale renewable energy projects across WA, to manage the impacts and maximise the benefits of renewable energy for the State’s communities, economy and environment.
To arrange an interview with WALGA, please contact WALGA Acting Manager Media and Communications Taysha Sullivan on 0448 896 435 or via [email protected]
