National Wind Farm Commissioner
November 2015 – March 2021
Renamed Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner in 2021.
Independent office that received and helped resolve complaints from residents about proposed and operating wind farms (and, from November 2018, large-scale solar farms and energy storage facilities), and promoted best practice in planning, community engagement and operation.
Names over time
- National Wind Farm Commissioner2015–2021
- Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner2021–present
How it came into existence
Created in 2015, following the agreement on the Renewable Energy Target negotiated with crossbench senators, as an independent office supported by the Department of the Environment; Andrew Dyer was appointed the first commissioner for a three-year term.
Changes during its life
- 19 July 2016Moved to the Department of the Environment and Energy portfolio.
- 1 November 2018Following a review, the role was renewed for three years and its remit widened from wind farms to large-scale solar farms and energy storage facilities.
- 1 February 2020Moved with energy to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources portfolio.
How it ended
In March 2021 the government announced that the commissioner's remit would be extended to major new transmission projects and the office renamed the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, with Andrew Dyer continuing in the role.
- Wind farm complaint handling
- Large-scale solar and energy storage complaint handling
- Promotion of best practice
Main functions
- Handling community complaints about wind farms
- Handling complaints about large-scale solar farms and energy storage (from 2018)
- Referring complaints to state and local authorities
- Promoting best practice in wind farm development and operation
- Reporting to Parliament on complaints and observations
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 1 July 2020 to 1 January 2021)
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.