Full Name
Anna White
Job title
Partner
Organisation
Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Speaker bio
Anna White is an Environment, Planning and ESG Partner at Corrs Chambers Westgarth lawyers.
She has a broad, multi-jurisdictional practice advising both public and private sector clients across the full spectrum of environmental regulatory compliance, approvals and environmental impact assessment matters. She advises clients across a range of sectors on site establishment, operational and closure matters, as well as environment and planning due diligence on corporate and real estate transactions. Anna has a wide range of energy and infrastructure experience advising on renewable energy, mining, oil and gas and major transport infrastructure projects.
Anna is working with clients to navigate opportunities and challenges associated with the energy transition.
She has a broad, multi-jurisdictional practice advising both public and private sector clients across the full spectrum of environmental regulatory compliance, approvals and environmental impact assessment matters. She advises clients across a range of sectors on site establishment, operational and closure matters, as well as environment and planning due diligence on corporate and real estate transactions. Anna has a wide range of energy and infrastructure experience advising on renewable energy, mining, oil and gas and major transport infrastructure projects.
Anna is working with clients to navigate opportunities and challenges associated with the energy transition.
Speaking At
Presentation title
Horizon scanning the planning framework for solar and BESS in Queensland
Presentation summary
BESS and solar projects play a prominent role in Queensland’s energy transition. At the same time, both BESS and solar projects are significantly impacted by planning frameworks which dictate how and where projects can occur.
Anna’s presentation will canvass the impact of the Queensland planning framework on BESS and solar projects, and recent and upcoming reforms.
Recent changes were made to Queensland’s planning framework with respect to wind farm development, including elevating the assessment level of projects from “code” to “impact” assessable. The Queensland government has proposed to similarly make solar farm developments impact assessable. This will be reflected through the planning framework including with the introduction of a new State Code 26: Solar Farms.
In particular, the presentation will discuss the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 which was introduced to Queensland Parliament on 1 May 2025 and is currently being considered by the parliamentary committee. The Bill proposes to introduce requirements for social impact assessments (SIAs) and community benefit agreements (CBAs) for certain projects, including large-scale solar farms.
Currently, local governments are responsible for assessing and deciding development applications for BESS facilities. Although BESS facilities are often understood to be “lower impact” in terms of amenity to solar or wind farms, it is possible that the increasingly rigorous assessment processes for solar and wind farms could be extended to BESS facilities. Heightened regulation around waste facilities for BESS may also occur as the awareness of the risks of disposal and decommissioning increases.
Anna’s presentation will canvass the impact of the Queensland planning framework on BESS and solar projects, and recent and upcoming reforms.
Recent changes were made to Queensland’s planning framework with respect to wind farm development, including elevating the assessment level of projects from “code” to “impact” assessable. The Queensland government has proposed to similarly make solar farm developments impact assessable. This will be reflected through the planning framework including with the introduction of a new State Code 26: Solar Farms.
In particular, the presentation will discuss the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 which was introduced to Queensland Parliament on 1 May 2025 and is currently being considered by the parliamentary committee. The Bill proposes to introduce requirements for social impact assessments (SIAs) and community benefit agreements (CBAs) for certain projects, including large-scale solar farms.
Currently, local governments are responsible for assessing and deciding development applications for BESS facilities. Although BESS facilities are often understood to be “lower impact” in terms of amenity to solar or wind farms, it is possible that the increasingly rigorous assessment processes for solar and wind farms could be extended to BESS facilities. Heightened regulation around waste facilities for BESS may also occur as the awareness of the risks of disposal and decommissioning increases.
