The Queensland Renewable Energy Council launched its 'Queensland Renewable Energy Developer and Investor Toolkit' in May 2025.
QREC's Toolkit is designed to complement, not replace, the State’s legislative and policy obligations, which are currently in flux pending the release of the Queensland government’s new energy roadmap due to be delivered at the close of 2025.
Focussed on providing developers and investors with a comprehensive guide to leading practice in landholder, First Nations and community engagement, and with some input provided by the First Nations Clean Energy Network, the Toolkit signals a strong commitment to First Nations.
The Toolkit says:
First Nations peoples have rights and interests in land and sea country, both where there are legal requirements, but also in terms of leading practice standards for early engagement enabling free prior and informed consent (FPIC), consultation and consideration of a project’s impact, and the opportunities and benefits that partnering with First Nations groups can afford renewable energy developers. Early engagement with First Nations enabling FPIC can lead to strong agreements and reduce project risk, cost and delay.
Engaging landholders and communities is also vital for the success of renewable energy projects, particularly in rural and regional areas. Communities now expect meaningful dialogue and a genuine commitment to local interests and aspirations.
This means addressing concerns, including community members in planning and decision-making, and ensuring companies are accountable for leaving a positive legacy that creates long-term benefits for local communities, including after a project's completion.
Proponents that go beyond mere compliance and ensure early First Nations community engagement, the enabling of free prior and informed consent, significant benefit sharing and partnership agreements, strong adherence to cultural heritage, and local First Nations employment and training and procurement across the supply chain, will reduce cost, risk and delay and ensure sustainability for generations to come.
There is more to be done in Queensland to ensure First Nations are front and centre of the state’s energy transition with associated economic benefits and protection of land and sea Country realised.
Proponents leading the way in partnership with First Nations have a key role to play here.