15 – Renewable energy

Wind turbines

One free standing wind turbine per lot is exempt from the Planning Scheme if it is not within the General Residential Zone, Low Density Residential Zone or a Particular Purpose Zone, is not a heritage listed place, does not involve the removal of any native vegetation, is not affected by the Scenic Landscape Code, Biodiversity Code or Wetlands and Coastal Protection Code and if it meets the following:

(a) no part of the structure is closer to a frontage than any other building on the lot (excluding a fence);

(b) no part of the structure is within 15 m of any boundary;

(i) 15 m in the Commercial Zone or General Business Zone; or

(ii) 20 m in the General Industrial Zone, Light Industrial Zone, Port and Marine Zone, Rural Resource Zone, Significant Agricultural Zone, or Utilities Zone; and

(iii) 12 m in any other zone; and

(d) no part of the structure is closer to a sensitive use on another lot than:

(i) 60 m if the wind turbine has a energy generation potential of 10kW or less; or

(ii) 250 m if the wind turbine has a energy generation potential of 10kW or more.

Solar Panels

Ground mounted solar panels are exempt from the Planning Scheme if it is not within the General Residential Zone, Low Density Residential Zone or a Particular Purpose Zone, is not a heritage listed place, does not involve the removal of any native vegetation, is not affected by the Scenic Landscape Code, Biodiversity Code or Wetlands and Coastal Protection Code and if it meets the following:

(a) no part of the structure is closer to a frontage than any other building on the lot;

(b) the maximum change of level as a result of cut or fill is 1 m;

(d) in the Rural Resource Zone, Significant Agricultural Zone, Utility Zone, Light Industrial Zone and General Industrial Zone:

(i) no part of the structure is no more than 4.5 m above natural ground level, and

(ii) the structure has a horizontal area no more than 20 m2 ; and

(e) in any other zone:

(i) no part of the structure is no more than 2.4 m above natural ground level, and

(ii) the structure has a horizontal area no more than 9 m2 , and

(iii) the structure is setback no less than 3 m from all boundaries.

This Information explains the requirements for a person wishing to operate a small scale business from home.

Anemometer

The temporary installation of an anemometer is exempt under the Planning Scheme provided that the anemometer and all traces of works associated with the anemometer are removed no more than 36 months after the commencement of wind measurements and all land affected is rehabilitated within a further period of 12 months.

These standards are contained in Clause 6.8 of the Huon Valley Interim Planning Scheme 2015.

If the solar panels or wind turbines you are intending to install do not meet the above criteria, you are required to obtain Development Approval from Council. Such applications will be assessed under Code E18.0 of the Planning Scheme (Wind and Solar Energy Code).

The following is a summary of the information and documents required when applying for Development Approval:

Development application form
Title documents
A Site Plan showing the location of all buildings and a plan showing the location of the wind turbine / solar panels on the roof, drawn to scale.

Will I need Building Approval?

Please be advised that you may also require building approval for the installation of solar arrays and wind turbines. Exemption provisions of the Building Regulations 2004 relating to the installation of photo voltaic solar panels has recently been changed to allow for a greater size of an array of panels to be exempted from the requirements of a Building Permit and to provide for the creation of a scheme for the accreditation of solar installers. Please refer to Building Advisory Note No. 3/2013A for further information on building requirements:

If you have further questions relating to building requirements for renewable energy infrastructure please contact a Building Surveyor for further advice.