Renewable energy approval pathway - Frequently Asked Questions

The Renewable Energy Approvals Pathway (REAP) is suite of initiatives aimed at supporting renewables projects that  will utilise the existing Major Projects assessment process.

Government will encourage proponents of major renewable energy and transmission projects to utilise the REAP, and in doing so provide access to a case management function to assist with the pre-application process and provide a central contact point within Government for renewable energy proponents on a project by project basis.

The REAP aims to improve regulatory, coordination and community outcomes, while maintaining high environmental protections.

Projects using the REAP as part of the Major Project process under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 will be supported with a dedicated major renewable assessment officers, a case management officer as a central point of contact, and cross agency coordination group.

Other beneficial components of the REAP will be the development of definitive guidance on information requirements for the Major Projects assessment criteria, and identification of information requirements across agencies early in the process.

Combined, these initiatives will assist to deliver a more streamlined and consistent regulatory process for renewable energy projects in Tasmania.

ReCFIT will commence consultation with key stakeholders immediately to ensure the support mechanisms put in place under the REAP are tailored, including opportunities to pilot aspects of the initiative, with a view to commencing full implementation in 2025.

In the meantime, proponents are still welcome to access the Major Projects assessment pathway, if their project meets the existing eligibility criteria.

No. The REAP does not remove any of the requirements for robust environmental, heritage and planning assessment processes already established in Tasmania. It encourages a clear and consistent pathway, will resource assessments through that pathway and in doing so facilitate a more streamlined and effective assessment process.

The Major Projects process as a contemporary approvals process requires greater consideration of overall social and economic costs and benefits and provides for key impact issues such as visual and traffic to be appropriately assessed (in addition to environmental impacts) as part of the project assessment criteria.

As the REAP will utilise the Major Projects Pathway all stakeholders including the community will continue to have the opportunity comment and provide feedback on renewable energy proposals.

Opportunity for public involvement in assessment of Major Projects is provided through consultation and exhibition processes, as well as public hearings. The final decision on the project is made by an independent panel and is not subject to an appeal on planning merit but can be appealed under judicial review on legal matters.

The REAP will not be compulsory, however, it has been identified as the preferred and most suitable pathway for major renewable energy projects that meet the eligibility criteria set under the regulatory framework. The REAP is considered by Government to provide the most streamlined, coordinated and efficient assessment process for these major renewable energy projects.

We recognise that many years of work occurs prior to a proponent formally commencing an approvals process. A transitional period will be required to consult with individual proponents, for some of whom it will be more efficient to continue using an existing approvals pathway. That decision will be up to the proponent.

Further information about the REAP will be released via the ReCFIT website as more detailed planning and implementation is completed through 2024.

In the meantime, enquiries can be sent to renewableenergy@recfit.tas.gov.au

The implementation of the REAP will require additional resourcing across key regulators and agencies.  This will be subject to confirmation in the 2024/2025 budget.

No. Projects must still go through all the relevant and rigorous approvals. The REAP makes the process more efficient and easier to navigate without foregoing any of the relevant approvals.

No, the REAP is not designed to fast-track projects through the process. Rather, it streamlines the process making it more coordinated and efficient for any proponents navigating through it.