Renewable Energy Planning Code

Overview

The draft Renewable Energy Planning Code (Code) is a new planning code made under Part 3A of the Planning and Development Act 2005 and in accordance with the Planning and Development (Planning Codes) Regulations 2024.

Purpose

The purpose of the Code is to provide a clear and consistent framework for assessing energy infrastructure that supports the generation, storage and transmission of renewable energy across Western Australia.

What the Code does

The draft Code has been prepared to provide clearer guidance to industry, local government and communities by:

• introducing a consistent development assessment framework for renewable energy infrastructure across Western Australia;
• establishing clear development standards and application requirements;
• improving certainty in managing potential land use and environmental impacts, such as noise and landscape considerations.

The initial focus of the Code is on wind farms, with flexibility to expand to other renewable energy developments in the future, including solar farms and battery energy storage systems.

Once finalised, the Code will take effect when incorporated into a local planning schemes.

Guidelines

The Code is accompanied by Guidelines that will form part of the planning framework however will not be incorporated into planning schemes.

The Guidelines may be updated and provide guidance on matters addressed in the Code, including:

• material required to accompany development applications;
• key reports and plans that may be required as a condition of development approval; and
• proponent-led preliminary community and stakeholder engagement.

To assist users, a combined Code and Guidelines document has been prepared, which will remain available after adoption as the primary user-friendly reference. In this version:

• statutory provisions of the Code appear in the main body with a white background
• guidelines are presented in grey boxes for easy differentiation.

Both the standalone Code and combined Code and Guidelines document are available in the Key Documents section.

Planning Regulation Changes

A range of regulatory changes are also proposed to support the Code and Western Australia’s renewable energy transition. While specific comment is not sought on these changes, Information Sheets are provided to give stakeholders a complete understanding and inform submissions on the Code.

Once drafted, consultation on the proposed amendments is expected to occur in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2005.

Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 (LPS Regulations)

The Minister for Planning and the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) have approved the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage to progress further regulatory enhancements, including:

• introducing Model Provisions to support incorporation of the Code into local planning schemes via scheme amendments and reviews
• clarifying the interaction between the Code and local government-adopted local planning policies
• requiring local governments to have ‘due regard’ to an approved planning code when determining development applications
• defining renewable and green energy-related land uses
• approval requirements for noise-sensitive developments near wind farms (see the Wind Farm Noise section below).

For more information, see Information Sheet – Renewable Energy – Policy Intent Summary – Proposed Amendments to Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 in the Key Documents section.

Planning and Development (Significant Development) Regulations 2024

Amendments to the Significant Development Regulations are being prepared to introduce a mandatory assessment pathway for significant renewable energy projects.

Applications for significant renewable energy projects will be submitted through the Significant Development Pathway and determined by the WAPC.

For more information, see the Information Sheet – Renewable Energy – Policy Intent Summary – Proposed Amendments to Planning and Development (Significant Development) Regulations 2024 in the Key Documents section.

Wind Farm Noise

Wind farm noise has the potential to affect nearby houses and other noise-sensitive land uses.

Under the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 (Noise Regulations), assigned noise levels apply at noise-sensitive premises, with compliance the responsibility of the noise emitter (in this case, the wind farm operator).

A key challenge arises when new noise-sensitive land uses are approved or developed near existing wind farms. These new developments could require wind farms to reduce noise emissions, potentially impacting operations and investment. This has raised renewable energy industry concerns and prompted calls for adjustments to the planning framework and Noise Regulations.

The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage and Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) are working together to develop a balanced approach that protects both community and industry interests. Alignment across the Code, LPS Regulations and Noise Regulations will be important to achieve an integrated approach.

Proposed Code Provisions

The Code includes provisions requiring wind farms to comply with prescribed limits in the Noise Regulations for existing or approved noise-sensitive land uses, while ensuring that wind farm noise levels received at nearby lots does not unreasonably restrict future residential development.

Planning Regulations

Amendments to the LPS Regulations are proposed to require development approval for houses and other noise-sensitive uses within a defined proximity to wind farms, regardless of any other exemption.

For more information, see the Information Sheet – Renewable Energy – Policy Intent Summary – Proposed Amendments to Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015 in the Key Documents section.

Noise Regulations

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is reviewing how wind farm noise is regulated for new houses arising near wind farms to complement the Code and planning regulation changes. Further information is available from DWER here.

Feedback is welcome, with comment specifically sought on the draft Code and supporting Guidelines.

Submission period: 12 December 2025 until 5pm 10 April 2026.

Electronic submissions can be made using any of the below options:

• Click the ‘Feedback Form’ button below.
• Download the Feedback Form here and email it to renewableenergyplanning@dplh.wa.gov.au.
• Email a written submission to renewableenergyplanning@dplh.wa.gov.au.

Hard copy submissions can be made by mail to:

Infrastructure Planning and Policy

Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

Locked Bag 2506, Perth WA 6001