With the Queensland government axing the $1 billion Moonlight Range Wind Farm near Rockhampton despite already receiving planning approval – Rok Solid, a renewable land brokerage firm, says that “progressed projects” are now in higher demand than ever before.
The company’s chief executive Daniel Moroko said that smaller renewable energy developers are playing a critical role by doing the “heavy lifting by taking on upfront risk and costs” because “bigger companies don’t want to be wasting years on something they don’t know is a sure thing.”
Moroko said that despite the axing of the wind farm, demand for “shovel ready” battery and solar battery projects remains strong in Queensland and New South Wales, having facilitated multiple sales of approved sites to major energy companies, including RWE, Trina Solar, Ratch, Valent, Atlas, Bison Energy, and May Brothers.
He points to recent data from the Australian Property Institute, which shows that rural land, especially in renewable energy zones (REZ), has seen the highest value growth of any property type, rising 256 per cent since 2005.
“Once approvals are in place, these sites become significantly more valuable and can move into construction quickly.
New resource to support ESG and climate reporting
Monash University’s Climateworks Centre has released a credibility guide to help corporates develop genuine emission reduction plans that align with the Paris Agreement.
The guide was developed with input from leading industry groups and climate transition experts, drawing on global best practice and offering seven credibility criteria and 31 associated sub-criteria.
The Climateworks Centre guide draws on global best practices, offering seven credibility criteria and 31 associated sub-criteria. Companies and investors can use these criteria when developing or assessing climate transition plans, while governments and financial regulators can use them to inform policy and disclosure guidance.
The centre’s chief executive, Anna Skarbek, said that while “net zero targets are now business-as-usual, how companies plan to get there is not and this guide will fill that gap”.
NCO (NASAA Certified Organic) enters administration
Organic certifier NASAA Certified Organic (NCO) has entered voluntary administration according to a note on its website. During an extraordinary general meeting, the directors decided to appoint David Trim and Brent Kijurina of Hall Chadwick as voluntary administrators, after an “inadequate response” from shareholders NASAA.
The directors wrote in a note that they wish to push the company into creditors’ voluntary liquidation and “will do everything in their power to ensure employees can access the Fair Entitlements Guarantee scheme”.
While administrators Hall Chadwick, will contact creditors and employees shortly, the directors have arranged for Beyond Blue to provide free mental health support to any “primary producer, employee, or auditor” impacted.
Meanwhile, the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said that businesses with certifications can transfer their certifications to another organic certifier before 26 September 2025 or their next audit date.
ORICoop, a national organic producers cooperative, said it was saddened to hear the news and urged producers to transition to the AS6000 (Australian Standard) to “increase the integrity of their organic claims in the marketplace”. This comes following the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission cracking down on “organic, natural, healthier or environmentally friendly” claims. The cooperative also stated that it can be contacted for support.
Urbis acquires Echelon Planning
Consultants Urbis has acquired Echelon Planning, which it says will strengthen its government advisory, greenfield and urban renewal expertise.
The firm had a small team of 11, led by co-founders Mark Woodland and Sarah McQuillen, before joining Urbis on 1 July. The larger consultancy said it was especially keen to acquire Woodland and McQuillen, who are “trusted experts to both the government and private sector” and are “passionate advocates for urban renewal and better planning.”
The consultancy stated that a 20-year relationship drove the acquisition and will contribute to its employee base of over 900 staff, with more than 350 of these staff members being consultants who are part of its national planning arm.
CEFC reveals funding for electric trucks
Building upon Zenobe’s first electric vehicle as a service charging hub model covered in TFE Review: Buildings as Batteries in December last year, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) has revealed that it had invested up to $6 million into the delivery of its fleet of 60 battery electric trucks (BET).
The EV company will lease the electric trucks to Woolworths to replace diesel trucks to complete “last mile” deliveries to homes and businesses.
The CEFC finance supports the delivery of a fleet of 60 BETs for ‘last-mile’ deliveries – the final leg of the delivery journey to homes and businesses – to replace diesel vehicles and help reduce emissions in the transport sector.
Jobs:
Landcom has appointed Lucy Sharman as its new director of sustainability and strategy, filling in the shoes of Lauren Kajewski, who left the organisation to join developers HIP V. HYPE as head of better business and to lead its NSW office late last year.
The new appointment sees Sharman finish and move on from her role as director of sustainability at the Bradfield Development Authority, where she worked for almost four years. She has worked in environment and sustainability-related roles for more than 20 years, including sustainability manager for Lendlease, senior project officer for green roofs and walls at the City of Sydney and senior environmental officer at the Marrickville (and later Inner West) Council.