‘No one understands local issues better’: rural councils call for greater role in renewable energy transition

MacIntyre windfarm, the largest operating windfarm in Australia, falls within different regional councils and therefore community benefit funds should be distributed, local mayors say. Photograph: David Kelly/The Guardian

Rural councils should be “deeply engaged” with the planning of renewable energy projects in their back yards to keep communities on side and streamline the energy transition, local government advocates have said.

But not all renewable projects require local government approval, meaning developers are left to deal directly with local residents – to mixed results.