Mackay Maps Out Greener Future

Mackay Regional Council endorsed a new Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2026–2031 that will guide the organisation’s sustainability efforts over the next five years. Photo source: Mackay Regional Council

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With New Sustainability And Renewable Energy Policies

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Mackay Regional Council has endorsed two major policies aimed at ensuring the region benefits from the transition to renewable energy while protecting its natural environment for future generations.

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At last week's ordinary meeting, councillors adopted a new Renewable Energy: Community Benefit System Policy alongside the Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2026–2031, setting the direction for how council will manage renewable energy developments and environmental sustainability over the next five years.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the renewable energy policy would help ensure large-scale projects, such as wind farms, solar farms and battery energy storage systems, leaving a lasting legacy for local communities.

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Under new Queensland Government reforms, major renewable energy developers must complete a Social Impact Assessment and negotiate a Community Benefit Agreement before lodging a development application.

Mayor Williamson said while the State Government now held approval powers for major renewable energy projects, council remained committed to ensuring communities directly benefited from developments in their area.

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"Council's focus is ensuring these projects leave a positive legacy through meaningful community investment, while also identifying and managing the social impacts that can come with large-scale development," he said.

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Potential community benefits could include upgrades to parks and sporting facilities or ongoing funding for local organisations such as sporting clubs, P&Cs and men's sheds.

The policy also aims to address potential impacts on housing, infrastructure, local services, emergency management and community wellbeing, while providing a transparent framework for negotiating and reporting community benefits.

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Council also endorsed its new Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2026–2031, which replaces the previous sustainability framework and outlines a practical roadmap focused on environmental protection, climate resilience, resource efficiency and community wellbeing.

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Mayor Williamson said Mackay's unique natural environment made protecting the region a priority.

"Our region is one of the most environmentally diverse in Queensland, with 320 kilometres of coastline, more than 70 tropical islands, significant rainforest areas and habitats that support hundreds of native species," he said.

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The strategy is built around five key priorities, including strengthening environmental leadership, protecting natural and coastal environments, improving climate resilience, reducing emissions and supporting sustainable communities.

Planned initiatives include expanding urban tree canopy, developing a Natural Environment Plan, improving waste and resource recovery, reducing council greenhouse gas emissions and continuing investment in energy-efficient infrastructure.

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Mayor Williamson said council had already made significant progress, with its solar installations generating more than 3.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year and reducing carbon emissions by about 2,600 tonnes annually.

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He said community feedback had played an important role in shaping the strategy, which would guide council's environmental actions through to 2031, with annual monitoring and public reporting on its progress.

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