Renewable Energy Community Benefit Policy

Rockhampton Regional Council recently adopted its Renewable Energy Community Benefit System Policy and is now seeking feedback from stakeholders and the community as part of an early review of the policy.

The policy was developed in response to changes to Queensland’s planning framework, which require certain renewable energy developments to assess their social impacts and enter into Community Benefit Agreements as part of the development process.

Importantly, the policy does not indicate Council's support for or opposition to renewable energy developments. It also does not determine whether renewable energy projects should occur in the Rockhampton Region, nor does it influence how individual development applications are assessed or decided.

Instead, the policy sets out Council's approach to identifying, assessing and managing the social impacts of renewable energy developments and provides a framework for negotiating Community Benefit Agreements. These agreements are intended to help ensure that, where renewable energy developments occur, affected communities share in the benefits generated by those developments.

The policy is not intended to determine the specific projects, programs or initiatives that future community benefit contributions will fund. Council may consider a Community Investment Strategy in the future.

Council is undertaking an early review of the policy and is seeking feedback on whether the framework is clear, appropriate and transparent, and whether there are areas that could be improved.

Submit your feedback here or below.

Consultation is open for five weeks and closes on Sunday, 29 November 2026.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Council is inviting the community to attend an information session on Wednesday 4 November, to learn more about the policy and how to provide feedback.

The session will include a presentation and time for questions.

🗓️ Wednesday, 4 November 2026
🕠 5.00pm – 6.00pm
📍 Fitzroy Room, Southside Library, 230 Bolsover St, Rockhampton City QLD 4700

Register your attendance: https://www.trybooking.com/DRBOU

Rockhampton Regional Council recently adopted its Renewable Energy Community Benefit System Policy and is now seeking feedback from stakeholders and the community as part of an early review of the policy.

The policy was developed in response to changes to Queensland’s planning framework, which require certain renewable energy developments to assess their social impacts and enter into Community Benefit Agreements as part of the development process.

Importantly, the policy does not indicate Council's support for or opposition to renewable energy developments. It also does not determine whether renewable energy projects should occur in the Rockhampton Region, nor does it influence how individual development applications are assessed or decided.

Instead, the policy sets out Council's approach to identifying, assessing and managing the social impacts of renewable energy developments and provides a framework for negotiating Community Benefit Agreements. These agreements are intended to help ensure that, where renewable energy developments occur, affected communities share in the benefits generated by those developments.

The policy is not intended to determine the specific projects, programs or initiatives that future community benefit contributions will fund. Council may consider a Community Investment Strategy in the future.

Council is undertaking an early review of the policy and is seeking feedback on whether the framework is clear, appropriate and transparent, and whether there are areas that could be improved.

Submit your feedback here or below.

Consultation is open for five weeks and closes on Sunday, 29 November 2026.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Council is inviting the community to attend an information session on Wednesday 4 November, to learn more about the policy and how to provide feedback.

The session will include a presentation and time for questions.

🗓️ Wednesday, 4 November 2026
🕠 5.00pm – 6.00pm
📍 Fitzroy Room, Southside Library, 230 Bolsover St, Rockhampton City QLD 4700

Register your attendance: https://www.trybooking.com/DRBOU

  • Have Your Say - Renewable Energy Community Benefit System Policy

    Council is seeking feedback on the Renewable Energy Community Benefit System Policy as part of an early review following its adoption.

    The questions below focus on the policy framework, including Council's approach to social impacts, community engagement and Community Benefit Agreements.

    This consultation is not seeking feedback on whether individual renewable energy developments should proceed or on specific projects, programs or initiatives that future community benefit contributions should fund.

    Feedback closes: 29 November 2026.

    VIEW THE POLICY HERE.

    PRIVACY NOTICE

    Participation in this survey is voluntary. Council will use the information you supply in this survey for the purpose of gauging community feedback on the Renewable Energy Community Benefit System Policy. Council deals with personal information in accordance with law, including the Information Privacy Act 2009.

    Have Your Say
Page last updated: 27 Oct 2026, 02:53 PM