The Western Downs is an economic powerhouse. Our region has long been built on the economic pillars of agriculture and intensive agriculture, but in more recent years the growth of our manufacturing and energy sectors have developed to bolster our strong regional economy.
The area has experienced significant economic growth over the past decade, demonstrated by a strong increase in Gross Regional Product. The Western Downs Development Status Report (2024) lists over $7.5 billion in major projects in the pipeline, and with new projects being announced, the pipeline continues to expand.
The Western Downs is proudly trademarked as The Energy Capital of Queensland, with coal, gas, solar, wind, battery storage and hydrogen operations in region. Our region is a prime destination for renewable energy and has seen the development and construction of several solar farms, wind farms and battery energy storage systems, as well as a hydrogen demonstration plant.
Major projects play a vital role in shaping the future of our region. They bring investment, create jobs, boost local businesses, and improve infrastructure. When planned with community in mind, these projects can leave lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits that support a thriving Western Downs for generations to come.
Council recognises that large scale construction projects have cumulative impacts and has built a strong culture of collaboration and partnerships, aimed to mitigate cumulative impacts and amplify long-term benefits.
Council strongly supports an approach of communities partnering “a collaborative, long-term and strategic partnership driven by a shared commitment to strengthen economic, environmental and social outcomes across the Western Downs and its communities, enabling a sustainable future.”
Council actively works together with proponents of major developments, setting a clear expectation that future developments in our region support strong economic, social and environmental outcomes.
We're all about being great neighbours
Council has taken a proactive approach to build a strong partnering culture with the launch of the Communities Partnering Framework in 2024, setting a clear expectation that future developments in our region support strong economic, social and environmental outcomes by partnering with our communities and Council.
In July 2025, Council adopted an updated version of the Communities Partnering Framework including an appendix on housing and accommodation, clarifying workforce accommodation strategy criteria for projects located near a town with a rental vacancy rate below 2 per cent.
The Communities Partnering Framework sets our expectations for private sector companies and corporations operating in our region. The principles of Council's Communities Partnering Framework include:
- Core Expectations - Adhere to all legislative and regulatory requirements from all levels of government
- Trusted Partnerships - Actively build, foster and maintain strong partnerships within the community
- Strong and Diverse Economy - Actively contribute and build a diverse, strong and resilient economy
- Growing Liveability - Invest in liveability in the region for future generations to live, work, play and study
- It's the people that make it - Actively contribute to, and participate in our communities
- Care for our Environment - Take pride in our environment, and mitigate adverse impacts
- First Nations - Develop meaningful partnerships with our First Nations community
- Celebrate your Impact - Assess your impact and celebrate your contribution to our communities.
A lot of great examples of communities partnering already exist within the Western Downs. We encourage all large businesses operating in the region to assess their impact and celebrate their contribution to our communities by completing the self-evaluation.
Download the Communities Partnering Framework(PDF, 11MB) Download the Self Evaluation Form(PDF, 233KB)
Businesses signed up to the Communities Partnering Framework
A recent update to the Planning Act (July 2025) now requires new large-scale wind and solar developments to submit a Social Impact Assessment and enter into a Community Benefit Agreement with the Local Government prior to submitting their development application. These changes were introduced to ensure long-term social, economic, and environmental benefits from renewable energy projects.
Under the Planning (Social Impact and Community Benefit) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025, large-scale solar farms and wind farms in Queensland must now follow a community benefit system.
To lodge a valid development application, project proponents must submit:
- A Social Impact Assessment (SIA)
- An executed Community Benefit Agreement (CBA)
What is a Social Impact Assessment (SIA)?
A Social Impact Assessment (SIA) is a way to understand how a project might affect people and communities—both positively and negatively. It looks at these impacts at every stage of the project, from planning through to completion, including direct and indirect effects. The process involves identifying these impacts, analysing them, planning how to manage them, and keeping track of them over time.
Key requirements include:
- Assessing impacts across five focus areas:
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- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Workforce management
- Housing and accommodation
- Local business and industry procurement
- Health and community well-being
- Developing strategies to reduce negative impacts and enhance positive outcomes
- Monitoring and updating these strategies throughout the project lifecycle
- Documenting findings in a detailed SIA report
The SIA focus areas align closely with Council’s Communities Partnering Framework supporting Council’s proactive approach to managing the impacts of major developments, and amplifying legacy outcomes for the community.
What is a Community Benefit Agreement (CBA)?
A CBA is a formal agreement between the developer and Council (and sometimes other partners) that ensures the project delivers real, local benefits to the community. CBAs are informed by the preceding SIA, as well as other identified community needs documented in Council and/or community strategic plans.
Council's Expectations
Western Downs Regional Council has set the following principles for Community Benefit Agreements:
- Strategic Alignment: CBAs must support the achievement of Council’s Corporate Plan, Operational Plan, and key infrastructure and community strategies.
- Community Responsiveness: Community views must be captured through meaningful engagement as part of the Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) and used to define plans to mitigate adverse impacts and elevate social and environmental outcomes.
- Transparent Governance: Agreements must include clear accountability measures, including defined benefit streams, key principles for operational delivery and monitoring processes.
- Fairness and Equity: Funding allocation must consider geographic equity across impacted communities.
- Integrity of Purpose: CBAs must not be used as a substitute for statutory conditions or infrastructure charges or utilised to offset state government responsibilities. They are a goodwill-based supplement to regulatory compliance.
View Council's Renewable Energy Community Benefit Scheme Policy
Proponents who enter into a Community Benefit Agreement with Council will be documented here.
This toolkit contains resources, templates, tools and information for renewable energy proponents looking to commence a major project in the Western Downs.
Spectrum Spatial Interactive Energy Projects Map
Click here to view the map
Tools and Templates
Proponent Letter Template - Notice of Intent to commence SIA(DOCX, 42KB)
Priority Infrastructure Areas Map(PDF, 5MB)
Rates Code 2 - Commercial/Industrial Group
TSBE Western Downs Development Status Report
'Leveraging the Lessons from the Development of the Queensland Onshore Gas Industry' Report - UQ Gas & Energy Transition Research Centre(PDF, 504KB)
Strategies and Policies
Renewable Energy Community Benefit System Policy
Economic Development Strategy
Housing & Land Development Incentive Strategy
WDRC Corporate Plan
Western Downs Regional Workforce Plan 2025-2028(PDF, 7MB)
Communities Partnering
Communities Partnering Framework & Self-Assessment Form
Buy Western Downs - Local Business Directory
My Community Diary - Community groups, clubs, NFPs and essential service providers
Community Plans
Chinchilla(PDF, 1MB)
Kaimkillenbun(PDF, 5MB)
Miles(PDF, 4MB)
Tara(PDF, 20MB)
Wandoan(PDF, 3MB)
Warra(PDF, 165KB)