Declaring a release area involves the following steps.

Public notice and consultation

Before declaring a release area, it is a requirement of the HRE Act that the Minister consults on a proposed release area. This consultation determines if an area can support large-scale renewable energy development, and the terms and conditions that should be applied to ensure development occurs sustainably with least impact.

DEM will seek comments from Native Title groups, pastoralists, and other landowners, communities, industry, key stakeholder groups, and relevant government agencies.

Following a minimum 30 business day consultation period, any feedback will be considered in finalising release area boundaries.

Declaration

Following consultation, the Minister for the HRE Act will consider the feedback, and with the agreement of either the Minister for the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act 1989 (on pastoral land) or the Minister for the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 (in state waters), will make a decision regarding the declaration of a release area.