City of Albany Renewable Energy Facilities policy governing future clean energy projects out for comment

A draft policy governing future renewable energy projects in Albany is out for comment, with one councillor dubbing it an “insurance” policy to ensure the community is not steamrolled by the renewables wave. The City of Albany’s draft Renewable Energy Facilities local planning policy would place locational, environmental and aesthetic stipulations on developers to ensure projects do not adversely affect surrounding neighbours, agricultural productivity, visual amenity and existing fauna and flora. It also includes a condition that a project must deliver “meaningful and enduring” community benefits throughout its lifetime and for developers to repair any roads damaged during the course of construction. Speaking on the draft policy at the council’s July meeting, Cr Malcolm Traill said it was smart for the city to be prepared, having seen nearby shires “shafted” by developers. “I think we all know in our heart of hearts that renewable energy in some shape or form is coming up albeit around us, as we’re looking at our wind farm, our tidal energy research,” he said. “It’s actually been pointed out that some of those councils are really being shafted by some of the renewable energy companies who are coming in expecting everything for nothing. “Councils are going out of their way to try and facilitate these projects but are left lamenting. “So, from our point of view, having a policy which actually defines what a proposal can do and should do — and they have to comply with for these big projects — I think it’s very important.” The policy follows the adoption of a similar one by the Wheatbelt town — and budding renewable hub — of Narrogin, where at least six renewable energy projects are in the pipeline. Albany led the charge into renewable energy in 2001 when the State’s first large-scale wind farm, Albany Grasmere Wind Farm, was built at Sandpatch. Its 18 turbines are estimated to provide 80 per cent of the city’s energy. Sandpatch’s waters have also been touted as an ideal site for harnessing wave power, with UWA’s Marine Energy Research Australia initiative manager Wiebke Ebeling labelling the site as the “gold standard” for wave energy production. Though no new large-scale projects are currently proposed for the city, Cr Traill labelled the policy a good thing to “have in place” before developers put anything forward. “It’s sort of like insurance,” he said. “It’s something that you mostly have but hope you’ll never have to use.” Public comments can be made on the City of Albany website or via emailing planning@albany.wa.gov.au. The comment period is open until midnight on August 28.