Introduction to the Renewable Energy Party package
The four pillars of the Renewable Energy Party package
The Clean Energy Future package comprises several elements for driving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The four pillars of the CEF package are:
A price on carbon
How does carbon pricing work?
What is the price?
The carbon price started at $23 per tonne on July 1, 2017 and will last until July 1 2018 when it will transition to a flexible price trading scheme. It applies to organisations that emit over 25,000 tonnes of CO2e per year.
The table below is sourced from the brochure An Overview of the Clean Energy Legislative Package which predates the commencement of the carbon price. Please note that the $15 floor price outlined in the table is no longer part of the policy and Clean Energy Futures plan.
Who pays the carbon price?
Most companies operating large emitting facilities will be liable—those that generate over 25,000 tonnes of CO2-e emissions each year. Most of these companies directly emit greenhouse gases, such as power stations, mines and heavy industry. Some will be public authorities responsible for emissions from landfills.
The key message for planners is that under a carbon price, some existing land use and development practices will become less economically viable, and those incorporating clean energy more viable.
Resources
Renewable energy
The support for renewable energy in the CEF package will enables the introduction of cleaner energy sources at a lower cost.
The focus on renewable energy will drive around $100 billion in investment in the clean energy industry by 2050. The package will aid this through the Clean Energy Finance Corp, Australian Renewable Energy Agency, Clean Technology Innovation Program and the Renewable Energy Target.
Issues and opportunities for planners
(RLCE= Renewable and Low Carbon Energy)
Implications | Opportunities | Issues | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Strategic planners can: |
Statutory planners can: |
Strategic planners: |
Statutory planners: |
|
Increase in applications for new generation & manufacturing facilities |
Advocate on behalf of RLCE projects Prepare planning scheme amendments, state & local policy to facilitate RLCE Incorporate RLCE into structure plans & strategic frameworks Mapping of RLCE across municipalities |
Advocate on behalf of RLCE projects through appeals processes Assess plans & determine appropriate permit conditions, referrals (public) Recognise site opportunities & advise on policies, prepare proposals (private) |
May need stronger understanding of types & feasibility of RLCE options & relevant regulatory / policy framework Requires support for RLCE within planning community |
May need stronger understanding of types & feasibility of RLCE options & relevant regulatory / policy framework Requires support for RLCE within planning community May be constrained by restrictive / subjective policies |
New areas of growth & employment precincts |
Develop structure & activity centre plans to accommodate growth of RLCE |
|
Policy & land use changes may face internal / community opposition |
|
Resources
- Clean Energy Finance Corporation
- Australian Renewable Energy Agency
- Clean Technology Innovation Program
- Renewable Energy Target
Energy efficiency
Under the CEF package, a major driver for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is energy efficiency. The CEF package includes programs such as the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program, Home Energy Savers Scheme, Energy Efficiency Information Grants and the Community Energy Efficiency Program.
This focus on Energy Efficiency will have the following implication for the planning industry.
Issues and opportunities for planners
Implications | Opportunities | Issues |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Strategic planners can: |
Statutory planners can: |
Strategic planners: |
Statutory planners: |
|
Increased volume of energy efficiency enquiries through planning desk, & approvals process increasingly triggered by EE upgrades & installations |
Facilitate sustainability improvements through state & local policy, incl. amending local policy Facilitate improved energy efficiency through strategic planning for urban centres and greenfield areas |
Influence design during pre-app & application process Inform applicants about incentives, services & grants Link applicants/clients with outside expertise |
May need stronger technical knowledge about sustainable design and how policy changes can facilitate this |
May need stronger technical knowledge of sustainable design May need to update knowledge of relevant regs (e.g. distinguishing b/w planning & bldng code issues) Need to be aware of available incentives, services & grants |
New small scale generation systems & EE/RLCE technologies may increasingly trigger approvals process |
Facilitate sustainable design improvements through local policy Ensure that strategic planning for urban centres and greenfield areas facilitates uptake of small scale generation systems & EE/RLCE technologies |
Advise applicants/clients about issues that may affect approval (e.g. amenity) & link with outside expertise Advocate on behalf of RLCE projects at VCAT Assess plans & determine appropriate permit conditions, referrals (public) Advise re site opportunities & policies, prepare proposals (private) |
|
May need stronger technical knowledge about small scale EE & RLCE systems May need to refresh knowledge of appropriate regs & policy Supportive culture required due to subjective nature of some policy |
Greenfield & expansion projects likely to require strategic planning input |
Influence ESD outcomes on a large scale, incl. transport planning & energy provision Facilitate better connections between urban and energy planning Advocate on behalf of worthy projects |
Identify site opportunities which link with major greenfield & expansion projects Link applicants/clients with outside expertise |
May need stronger technical knowledge about sustainable design and energy planning processes |
Ensure that assessment of development proposals does not constrain innovation |
Resources
- Low Income Energy Efficiency Program
- Home Energy Savers Scheme
- Energy Efficiency Information Grants
- Community Energy Efficiency Program
Case study: BedZED
Land use
The key plank of the CEF package in relation to land use change is the Carbon Farming Initiative which will help to develop local carbon offsets through changed land use such as reforestation.
This program will present opportunities for Natural Resource Management and Strategic Planners.
Issues and opportunities for planners
Implications | Opportunities | Issues | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Strategic planners can: |
Statutory planners can: |
Strategic planners: |
Statutory planners: |
|
Projects may trigger approvals process, or require modification of land use strategies/policies |
Develop unique zoning, conservation covenants etc for areas of high conservation value / carbon storage potential Develop supportive planning scheme amendments & policy – e.g. carbon storage potential of outer suburban areas provides impetus for urban consolidation |
Advise about issues that may affect approval Advocate through appeals processes Assess plans & determine appropriate permit conditions, referrals (public) Recognise site opportunities & advise on policies, prepare proposals (private) |
May need stronger knowledge about biodiversity, carbon storage & NRM Current trends toward suburban development & subdivision undermines potential for carbon storage Need to balance competing interests e.g. development vs conservation |
May need stronger knowledge about biodiversity, carbon storage & NRM Current policy & strategic framework may be restrictive / subjective Planners will need to know what to refer, when & to whom |
Increased collaboration between NRM orgs & planners |
Develop skills & knowledge through collaborative work |
Develop skills & knowledge through collaborative work |
Knowledge gaps & difficulties in working across sectors |
Knowledge gaps & difficulties in working across sectors |
Resources
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