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Committee's Report

The committee tabled its Report No. 1, 56th Parliament - Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020 on 3 July 2020. The government's response to the committee's report was tabled on 11 August 2020. The Bill was passed with amendments by the Queensland Parliament on 12 August 2020.

About the Bill

On 20 May 2020, the Hon Kate Jones MP, Minister for State Development, Tourism and Innovation, introduced the Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020 to the Queensland Parliament. On 21 May 2020, the Bill was transferred to the newly established State Development, Tourism, Innovation and Manufacturing Committee (the committee) for detailed consideration.  The committee tabled its report on Friday 3 July 2020. The Bill was passed with amendment by the Queensland Parliament on 12 August 2020.

The Bill proposes to provide access to land and facilitate tenure for a major renewable energy project to occur within the Toolara, Tuan and Neerdie State forests. Under the current legislative framework, the grant of tenure for this type of project is prohibited.

The project area is the subject of a current plantation licence, held by HQ Plantations from 2010 for a period of 99 years. The Bill also provides for the project to coexist with the plantation licence.

The explanatory notes state that the Bill will enable the development by:

a. Exempting the development from or modifying the application of certain sections of the Forestry Act 1959 and Land Act 1994

b. Limiting the development to the project areas within the State forests

c. Providing a pathway for the proponent of a development agreement to obtain tenure to access, occupy, develop and manage the land for the purpose of the project

d. Providing that compensation is not otherwise payable by or on behalf of the State in relation to the enactment or operation of the proposed Bill

e. Requiring the plantation licensee’s compliance with its remediation responsibilities in the project area, as a condition of its tenure.

The Bill also amends the Planning Act 2016 to enable the effective administration of the Springfield Structure Plan, part of the Ipswich City Council planning scheme, to ensure that Springfield City Group Pty (the principal developer of the Springfield Structure Plan area) has sufficient input to the provision of infrastructure. The Bill also amends dispute resolution procedures.

Call for Submissions

Submissions closed on Monday, 8 June 2020

Timeline

Public Briefing and Hearing

 The briefing and hearing was broadcast live on Parliament TV.  Footage will be available to view for 12 months.

Related Information

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Live and archived broadcasts of public briefings and hearings can be accessed here.