Documents from Yass Council state the area has more than a dozen renewable energy projects that are being assessed or “under investigation”. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
A regional council says it needs more time to consider a policy that would seek community benefit contributions from renewable energy projects.
Yass Valley Council (YVC) prepared the Renewable Energy Community-Benefit policy earlier this year.
Under the proposal, project proponents would contribute $187 and $1312 per megawatt hour per annum of approved capacity (depending on the kind of renewable energy project), which would be put towards various council projects.
According to the policy it “aims to ensure that the Yass Valley community receives valuable, equitable and sustainable community benefit contributions from renewable energy projects and that those benefits align with council’s strategic objectives”.
When the policy was presented to councillors at a recent meeting, no councillor moved the recommendation for its adoption.
In response, Mayor Jasmin Jones sought to have the council launch another round of consultation over the policy.
She also called on the council’s CEO Gayleen Burley to engage with community organisations and stakeholders on the draft policy in early 2026.
Mayor Jones described the Renewable Energy Community-Benefit policy as an opportunity for the council to support communities hosting the projects.
“There is no question that it’s a brave new world for our villages. It’s a layer of industrialisation never before seen in the Yass Valley.
“I think it helps us to put our feet on the ground and, at the very least, introduce what our policy is … and give them an opportunity to tell us what they think.
Council papers state that four renewable energy projects have been approved in Yass Valley, while four are being assessed and more than 10 were said to be “under investigation”.
During the discussion, Cr Adrian Cameron asked about the scope of possible changes to the draft policy.
“What are we doing? We are taking policy that is down here in the business papers and saying, ‘This is what we [at council think]’ or are we just saying, ‘This is a possibility – what do you think?'”
In response, Mayor Jones said that the consultation could potentially lead to substantial changes, but that would depend on the feedback presented to YVC.
Council meeting papers also state that two submissions were received during a public exhibition period.
While one submission was in support of the policy, writing that it would contribute to a “stronger social license” in Yass Valley, the other raised several issues.
That submission said it lacked flexibility and risked not having contributions being used in a way that would have the biggest impact.
“By funnelling all contributions through council, the draft policy risks diminishing the flexibility and local focus envisaged by the state guideline and may reduce trust in whether funds will reach the communities most directly impacted.
“This would reduce opportunities for local neighbourhood benefits and near neighbour benefit mechanisms, where impacts from the proposed projects is greatest.”
Consultation over the Renewable Energy Community-Benefit policy is expected to occur in early 2026.
