Darling Downs and South West Mayors Welcome New Community Benefit Fund for Energy Projects

The Darling Downs and South West Queensland Council of Mayors (DDSWQCoM) has welcomed recent legislative changes requiring developers of large-scale renewable energy projects to deliver long-term benefits to the communities where infrastructure is built.

Chair of DDSWQCoM and Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald said the introduction of mandatory community benefit agreements into energy project legislation is a step in the right direction.

"Our member councils have long advocated for stronger guarantees that communities impacted by major energy developments will receive lasting social and economic benefits," Mayor McDonald said.

"We've made it clear that the southern and south-west regions of Queensland must not be short-changed when it comes to energy infrastructure development.

"This change means project proponents will now need to establish community benefit funds as part of the approval conditions set by the Queensland Government. It adds consistency to what was previously an ad hoc process."

The announcement followed the Mayors' quarterly meeting in Dalby on July 31 and August 1, where regional leaders also discussed broader infrastructure priorities including freight routes, bulk water supply, and improved telecommunications.

Key policy issues raised included insurance affordability, energy regulation, economic development, and disaster recovery. Mayor McDonald noted that some regional areas continue to experience what he described as "postcode discrimination" from insurers-leading to prohibitively expensive premiums or lack of coverage altogether.

The Dalby meeting featured briefings from a number of Queensland Government representatives, including Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy; Minister for Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Andrew Powell; Assistant Minister for Regional Development Bryson Head; and Opposition Shadow Minister Nikki Boyd.

"These meetings are a vital platform for our 10 local councils to advocate collectively for meaningful policy reform and attract investment that supports our region's productivity," Mayor McDonald said.

The Mayors also voiced continued support for the Local Government Association of Queensland's campaign to reduce or eliminate the State Waste Levy, commonly known as the "bin tax."

Water security remained a key concern, with discussions covering new dam proposals and support for councils undertaking dam safety upgrades. Updates were also shared on biosecurity efforts to manage feral pig populations and the use of artificial intelligence to enhance road maintenance assessments.

Mayor McDonald thanked the Western Downs Regional Council for hosting the gathering and said planning was already underway for the next meeting ahead of the Queensland Local Government Association annual conference in October.

About DDSWQCoM
Established in October 2015, the Darling Downs and South West Queensland Council of Mayors represents the Bulloo, Quilpie, Paroo, Murweh, Maranoa, Balonne, Western Downs, Goondiwindi, Southern Downs, and Toowoomba local government areas. Together, these regions span an area the size of Sweden, accounting for 25% of Queensland's land area, 25% of its cattle stock, and 75% of the state's grain and pulse crop production.