The NSW Government is accelerating the state's energy transition by releasing new draft guidelines to speed up the planning approval and construction processes for wind, solar and transmission infrastructure.
The guidelines, which seek feedback from stakeholders including industry, councils and residents, aim to ensure faster decisions, provide certainty for investors and increase transparency for communities. Key aspects include assessing and managing noise, visual and other community impacts during the development assessment process and proposing benefit-sharing arrangements through planning agreements with councils, contributing over $400 million to local government initiatives over the next 25 years.
The draft policy is consistent with the recommendations of the Electricity Supply and Reliability Check-Up and the NSW Agriculture Commissioner's Report, which are critical to achieving net zero targets and ensuring a reliable and affordable supply of electricity.
All stakeholders are invited to provide input by Friday 15 December 2023, with final guidelines expected to be finalised by the Department of Planning and Environment in early 2024.