The Victorian Government is providing certainty for investors and Victoria’s growing renewable energy industry by accelerating planning approvals for renewable energy projects to ensure they are built faster.
The Victorian Premier recently announced renewable energy projects will be eligible for an accelerated planning pathway under the Development Facilitation Program (DFP) – treating these projects the same as other significant works like the Big Housing Build.
Right now, there is currently around $90 billion worth of investment value in renewable projects in the pipeline. It is expected these renewable projects would create a massive 15,000 jobs for our state.
Under the change, all new renewable projects in Victoria will be treated as significant economic development, making them eligible for an accelerated pathway – removing the planning panel process and third-party appeals at VCAT. Renewable projects currently static in approvals will also be able to access this accelerated pathway.
The change means that from the time a complete application is lodged for one of these new state significant projects, decisions can be made within four months.
The voices of communities who want to raise concerns with a proposal will continue to be protected. Third party objections will still have a place in the approvals process, but this change prevents time-consuming and repeated delays that hold these projects back.
Through the accelerated pathway, a dedicated facilitation team will oversee all renewable energy applications. Projects will also be monitored on an ongoing basis to identify blockers earlier and resolve them faster.
Discovermore on Victoria’s clean energy opportunities.
