Media Release | 9 July 2025
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Local Government
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Kirrilee Warr MLA, has urged the State Government to follow through with its rating guideline for Local Governments regarding renewable energy assets. Budget Estimates last week revealed rating of renewable energy assets was on the radar of the Local Government Minister.
Ms Warr urged the State Government to treat this matter with urgency.
“Local Governments have no framework with which to base their rating on for renewable projects,” Ms Warr said.
“There must be a definitive set of guidelines to provide consistency across Local Governments, and the State Government must commit to a timeline to ensure this can be delivered promptly.”
Earlier this week, the WA Local Government Association released its renewable energy community benefits guidelines.
Ahead of the 2025 State election, The Nationals WA committed to implementing a comprehensive State Planning Policy for renewable energy projects.
The framework aimed to ensure regional communities were considered and would benefit from renewable developments across the State.
Ms Warr said the WALGA guidelines were welcomed, and the State Government needed to include Local Governments as part of their process.
“The Nationals WA has advocated for Local Governments to be included in the framework for renewable energy projects,” she said.
“The current system lacks consistency and there is no guidance for responsible development of renewable energy infrastructure.”
The State Government recently released guidelines for community benefits for renewable projects, with it currently in the consultation period.
Ahead of the election, the Nationals WA looked to mandate community benefits for renewable projects, ensuring local communities would receive a return from these developments.
Ms Warr urged the final framework to have Local Government consultation embedded within it to ensure they would be a part of the process.
“With the influx of renewable projects, it is important the community is not left behind, particularly in the regions,” she said.
“These projects must happen with the Local Governments they are situated in, not to them”
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