Community Benefits

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Community Benefit Systems: Renewables

A recent update to the Planning Act (July 2025) now requires new large-scale renewable energy projects to submit a Social Impact Assessment and enter into a Community Benefit Agreement with the Local Government prior to submitting their development application. These changes were introduced to ensure long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits from renewable energy projects.

Under the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, the following developments must now follow a community benefit system:

  • Wind farm developments
  • Solar farm developments with a maximum instantaneous electricity output of 1MW or more
  • Battery storage facility developments with a maximum instantaneous electricity output of 50MW or more

 

To lodge a valid development application, project proponents must submit:

  • A Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
  • An executed Community Benefit Agreement (CBA)

In addition to this, the Planning Regulation requires that large-scale renewable energy projects require impact assessment, unless a minor change to a development approval is requested. This means that development applications are subject to public notification, and community members and other stakeholders may lodge submissions regarding the proposal which the assessment manager must consider when making their decision. Additionally, third-party appeal rights are available.

 

What is a Social Impact Assessment (SIA)?

A Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a way to understand how a project might affect people and communities. It looks at these impacts at every stage of the project, from planning through to completion, including direct and indirect effects. The process involves identifying these impacts, analysing them, planning how to manage them, and keeping track of them over time.

Key requirements include:

  • Assessing impacts across five focus areas:
    1. Community and stakeholder engagement
    2. Workforce management
    3. Housing and accommodation
    4. Local business and industry procurement
    5. Health and community well-being
  • Developing strategies to reduce negative impacts and enhance positive outcomes
  • Monitoring and updating these strategies throughout the project lifecycle
  • Documenting findings in a detailed SIA report

Social Impact Assessments

Tully BESS Social Impact Assessment(PDF, 6MB)  

 

What is a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA)?

A CBA is a formal agreement between the developer and Council (and sometimes other partners) that ensures the project delivers real, local benefits to the community. CBAs are informed by the preceding SIA, as well as other identified community needs documented in Council and/or community strategic plans.

 

Council's Expectations

Cassowary Coast Regional Council has set the following principles for Community Benefit Agreements:

Inclusive

  • Community benefit outcomes are determined through appropriate governance processes,  informed by an SIA and community sentiment and aligned to Council priorities and plans.
  • The benefits are to be distributed equitably amongst the Host Communities

Strategic

  • Funds are leveraged to unlock strategic opportunities that enable long-term economic growth and increase environmental protection and liveability improvements.
  • Benefits provide a legacy of long-term meaningful impacts.

Transparent

  • A fair, transparent, consistent and accountable framework governs the negotiation, preparation, and implementation of CBAs.
  • Council will ensure full transparency with the community on how benefits are determined and distributed.

 

Councils Renewable Energy:

Community Benefit Agreement Policy 

 

Signed Community Benefit Agreements

Proponents who enter into a Community Benefit Agreement with Council will be documented here.

TULLY BESS Community Benefit Agreement(PDF, 753KB)

 

 

 

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