FAQs

The purpose of this consultation is to find out if the community is supportive, or not, of a potential Renewable Energy Local Planning Policy and shape what could potentially be included in a future Policy

DPLH is now developing a state planning instrument to guide assessment of renewable energy facilities. It is not expected to come into effect until 2026.

The Department of Planning Lands and Heritage (DLPH) currently has in place a Position Statement: Renewable Energy Facilities (March 2020) which provides some guidance in the assessment but does not hold the same weight as a policy. Many local governments have developed local planning policies to fill this gap in the planning framework. 

We are gathering feedback on the Issues and Options paper as a preliminary step in this consultation. Depending on what people say we’ll know whether a local planning policy should be made and what you’d like to go in it. If it goes ahead, a draft policy will potentially go out for formal public consultation later this year.

There are three development assessment pathways available for large renewable energy projects 

1. Development assessment by the local government and decision made by officers or council. 
2. Regional Development Assessment Panel (DAP), opt in pathway for developments over $2 million. Local government officers carry out consultation and write a recommendation. Recent changes to the DAP process mean that applications can no longer be brought before council for recommendation to the DAP. 
3. State significant development pathway.  Assessment is carried out by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) with the Shire as a referral body only. 

Due to the high development costs of significant renewables, they are generally assessed through the DAP or State significant development pathways. 

A local planning policy will still be relevant to any of these decisions.

The Shire anticipates receiving a development application for a large-scale wind farm and there will be separate public consultation on this application. 

Due to the high development costs of significant renewables they are generally assessed through the Regional Development Panel (DAP), opt in pathway for developments over $2 million. Local government officers carry out consultation and write a recommendation but recent changes to the DAP process mean that applications can no longer be brought before council for recommendation to the DAP. 

The Policy would give community the opportunity to provide relevant input on proposed larger renewable energy projects into the assessment process. 

Community consultation on the Issues and Options Paper is open from the Monday, 1 September to Friday, 19 September 2025. A separate round of community consultation will occur for the draft Policy later in the year.