The Victorian Government is streamlining planning approvals for renewable energy projects to provide investment certainty, ensure projects that reduce energy prices are built faster, and unlock thousands of jobs.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced renewable projects will be eligible for an accelerated planning pathway under the Development Facilitation Program (DFP), treating them the same as major works like the Big Housing Build.
Since 2015, more than 20 per cent of renewable applications have ended up stuck in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Around $90 billion worth of proposed renewable projects, expected to create 15,000 jobs, are currently held up in the approvals pipeline.
The new policy deems all new renewable projects of significance for economic development, making them eligible for a fast-tracked approvals process. This removes the planning panel stage and third-party appeals to VCAT after initial objections are resolved.
“The current system means important projects can be tied up for years,” Allan said. “Instead of spinning turbines, we’re too often left spinning our wheels.”
According to Victorian Government, a dedicated team will oversee all renewable applications under the accelerated pathway, monitoring projects to identify and resolve blockers earlier. From complete lodgement, decisions can now be made within four months.
The Government said community voices can still be heard during the approvals process, but repeated delays will be prevented after objections are initially handled.
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