The Queensland state government has implemented new regulations to ensure that communities have a bigger say in the development of battery energy storage systems (BESS) in their communities.
Under the Planning (Battery Storage Facilities) and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2025, large stand-alone BESS projects (50MW or more) must now undertake social impact assessment and agree with the local government on community benefits before lodging a development application.
The latest changes will align the BESS planning framework with the rigorous assessment already in place for other renewable energy projects.
All large-scale BESS projects will also be impact assessible, meaning that they need to ensure mandatory community consultation and a consistent approach to assessment.
Currently, BESS projects can be assessed against 77 different sets of rules, depending on the local government’s planning schemes.
To ensure consistency across Queensland, the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) will now manage all application assessments for these projects, guided by a new state code that sets clear benchmarks for safety, bushfire risk, noise and agricultural impacts.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the changes were about giving communities confidence in the planning process.
“The changes make sure BESS projects are assessed consistently and transparently, removing delays and providing certainty for industry and communities.
“We’re giving communities a stronger voice and empowering local governments to play a greater role in managing social impacts, negotiating community benefits, ensuring projects deliver the best outcomes for communities.”
The key changes include applying a community benefit system to a material change of use of premises for a BESS.
The changes also ensure that transitional arrangements are consistent with the prior transitional framework for solar farms, requiring all existing BESS applications over 50MW to complete a Social Impact Assessment and Community Benefit Agreement, before an application can be lodged with SARA for assessment, with any applications under 50MW still assessable by local governments.
The new changes took effect on December 12.
