Narrogin residents seek community investment from renewable energy boom
The Shire of Narrogin, about 180 kilometres south-east of Perth, has been considered prime territory for wind, solar and battery because of its open farmland and proximity to the state's grid.
Projects proposed for the Narrogin Renewable Energy Zone include a $2.4 billion, 168-turbine wind farm of 1209 megawatts, a $400M solar farm and a $400M battery project.
Narrogin Shire President Leigh Ballard said the council had welcomed the projects for their economic benefits but wanted a community fund created so residents could benefit.
The shire recently requested the battery project include a community fund or public art funding, which was rejected.
Mr Ballard said the growth of the projects was putting stress on the community and its infrastructure.
"It's an issue we, as a shire, are trying process, comprehend and plan for," he said.
"Each individual project has a small impact, but when you put all these projects together it's a huge impact for the region."
He said pressure points included housing, roads, general resources, procedures and baseline community functions.
The WA government released draft guidelines on Thursday which said it would ensure "all Western Australians benefit from the energy transition".
It said community arrangements on projects differed and a lack of consistency created uncertainty for communities and proponents.
The proposed guidelines include $500 to $,1000 per megawatt per year for wind projects and $150 to $800 for solar projects.
Under the proposal, a 200-megawatt wind farm project would contribute between $100,00 to $300,000 each year, the government said.
It said the final benefit could differ depending on the size of community and whether multiple communities were affected.
"In sparsely populated areas, a lower … amount may be appropriate compared to areas of higher population," it said.
The draft proposed community funds could be administered through local governments or a community trust fund.
Mr Ballard said the situation required clear-cut legislation from the Cook government.
"Our community is getting told what's happening, they're not getting brought along with the process or involved with it," he said.
"We look at it as a bit of social license from these projects, coming into the community and changing our landscape."
WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the government had listened to industry and communities to develop the concept.
"The draft guideline provides support for the community and renewable energy developers to achieve sensible arrangements that balance benefit for the local community with the affordability of energy," she said in a statement.
Planning Minister John Carey said WA was in a "critical moment in the state's history" with large renewable projects proposed and under construction.
"It's a significant opportunity in terms of economy, for jobs, and meeting the renewable energy transitions but we understand there are concerns in local communities and what the community benefit will be," he said.
Energy analyst Ray Wills said baseline payments per hour or megawatt per project were a sensible starting point.
He said the direct benefits of farmers and other landholders hosting projects needed to be balanced against the indirect impact on the wider community.
"Because otherwise all of the expenditure that company will look to do will be captured by one person, rather than being more broadly available," Mr Wills said.
"On the other hand, not having any of those payments made to the community is going to see a restriction of projects going forward."
He said any community funding requirement needed to be carefully calibrated so investment was not deterred.
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