The Tasmanian Government has unveiled a plan to streamline the approvals process for new renewable energy projects in the State.
Minister for Energy and Renewables Nick Duigan said a new dedicated approvals pathway will be implemented to ensure the continued rollout of major renewable energy projects in the sector.
“The Renewable Energy Approval Pathway (REAP) will provide a pathway for projects, such as wind farms and transmission lines, through the Major Projects Assessment Process,” Minister Duigan stated.
“We already have significant renewable energy projects in the pipeline, and the new approvals pathway will ensure we continue to build that resource,” he added.
The State Government’s Renewable Energy Coordination Framework has led to the establishment of a dedicated pathway for major renewable energy projects.
As part of the Renewable Energy Coordination Framework, the Tasmanian government conducted an assessment that identified the necessity for a Renewable Energy Approval Pathway (REAP). It also supports other initiatives under the framework’s environmental pillar.
Components of the REAP include:
- Establishing a Major Renewable Energy Project case management team within the government, consisting of a dedicated case management officer in ReCFIT and a cross-agency team to facilitate a more integrated and coordinated pre-assessment process;
- Develop clear guidelines on information requirements for major projects; and,
- A coordinated pre-assessment that takes into account a Reserve Activity Assessment and related assessment activities in tandem with large projects.
Other options dedicated to, complementing, and supporting the development and continued functioning of the REAP include:
- Prioritise progressing a bilateral assessment agreement for the Major Projects assessment process.
- Establish assessment protocols between the Tasmanian and Australian governments to solve present shortfalls that cause regulatory delays and inconsistent recommendations;
- Advance the formation of a guideline on community benefit schemes specific to Tasmania, and create a funding approach that delivers greater certainty to regional communities and shows results faster; and,
- Respond to the recommendations of the Future of Local Government Review.
Minister Duigan said the State Government is developing a separate initiative for statutory recognition of the Reserve Activity Assessment (RAA) process, including required assessment timeframes.
“Major Projects provides a more contemporary assessment process that is designed to align with community expectations of project assessment,” Minister Duigan stated.
He noted that the public will continue to have opportunities for participation through consultation, exhibition processes, and public hearings.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government will continue to support Tasmanians by delivering new generation capacity that grows our economy and create more jobs, while keeping power prices the lowest in the nation.”
