Wheatbelt local governments are frustrated by lack of guidance from State Government about renewable projects

Wheatbelt local governments are frustrated at the State Government’s lack of communication about renewable projects and fear local needs will be ignored. West Arthur, Wagin and Narrogin shires say they are disappointed with the State Government’s information shortage about the several renewable projects forecast for the area by 2030. Nearly 500 wind turbines with battery energy storage systems and transmission lines are expected to be built across the three shires and Williams, and a 72-panel solar farm is planned for Narrogin. WA local governments currently follow renewable energy frameworks from the Eastern States to guide plans and information dissemination, as WA does not yet have its own. The local governments said they are not against renewable energy but are disgruntled by the State Government’s scarce communication. Shire of West Arthur chief executive Vin Fordham Lamont said they have been “kept in the dark”. “One of the wind farm developers told us they knew where the transmission lines were going but were assigned to secrecy by the government, every time we have spoken to the Government, they’ve said it hasn’t been worked out yet,” he said. “We don’t want to alienate or pick on the Government, but there are concerns mainly because no transparency or information is provided.” Shire of Wagin chief executive Phillip Blight said local opinions have been disregarded. “We’ve been ignored, project proponents don’t need to act with local government at any level,” Cr Blight said. “We asked one of the major proponents ‘when they go to the development approval stage, how are they going to manage that?’ And the answer was ‘‘I’ll go straight to State planning’.” The concerned shires fear community benefits such as much-needed housing, road repairs, infrastructure, employment and business and neighbour contributions will fall through because there is no plan to promise them. Shire of Narrogin chief executive Dale Stewart said the community’s values, livelihoods and relationships “should not be sacrificed” in the rush to meet State renewable energy targets. ““We received an application worth three to four million for a solar farm, they’re lodging applications based on current guidelines that are inadequate,” Mr Stewart said. “They don’t address community benefit schemes, not consistent in terms of setbacks.” Cr Blight said he wants the State to commit and encourage community values and the community development fund “smell like a bit of a pay-off.” “We don’t want to see these people come into town, build then disappear and leave no long-term legacy,” Cr Blight said. “And these people will go back to Spain or Sydney or wherever and live their life and everyone here now has a fractured relationship, that’s just disgraceful.” Local governments said accommodation would be the most beneficial return. Cr Blight said he believes the State’s silence is due to the March 2025 State election because a renewable energy policy announcement may sway voters. “I don’t see a plan happening till after the State election,” he said. “It appears even PoweringWA have been gagged effectively. “I think the opposition fears having that policy as much as the State Government does because you get your policy mix wrong, you lose voters.” Despite concerns among neighbouring shires, Shire of Williams chief executive Peter Stubbs said the State’s engagement was improving. “The issue about planning frameworks has been ongoing for some time but in recent months I think the State Government has been more engaging,” Mr Stubbs said. “I’m sure they’re not deliberately ignoring. “Local government had a voice to State politicians and governments and certainly to proponents directly, but I think it’s fair to say proponents have not made local government one of their first points of call. “But local government is not the decision-making authority.”