Olivebranches and idiot's guides: Frameworks for community engagement in Australian wind farm development

Title
Olivebranches and idiot's guides: Frameworks for community engagement in Australian wind farm development
Publication Date
2015
Author(s)
Howard, Tanya
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2837-8529
Email: thoward9@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:thoward9
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1016/j.enpol.2014.12.026
UNE publication id
une:16972
Abstract
In Australia, renewable energy is under pressure in the context of a highly politicised debate about how to act on climate change. The recent repeal of an established carbon tax has seen the defunding of significant renewable energy initiatives and a controversial review of the national Renewable Energy Target is threatening key drivers for investment in renewable energy. The current regulatory focus on community 'acceptance' does not facilitate the active community support necessary to challenge this increasingly hostile policy context. This research considers current experiences of community engagement in wind farm governance in one Australian jurisdiction. Through documentary analysis and two qualitative case studies, it examines legal and non-legal requirements for community governance mechanisms and considers how these influence wind farm development in rural areas. Findings include a problematic reliance on procedural compliance in assessing wind farm consultation, domination by vested interests, and reduced expertise in community engagement at the time it is needed most. Recommendations include integration of best practice guidelines in current regulation; harmonisation of policy settings to ensure equity across energy sectors; and an evidence-based commitment to benefit sharing as a strategy for increasing community support of rural wind farm development.
Link
Citation
Energy Policy, v.78, p. 137-147
ISSN
1873-6777
0301-4215
Start page
137
End page
147

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