National Collaboration Resolves Insurance Concerns for Landholders living near Renewable Energy Projects

September 17, 2026

MEDIA RELEASE from the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner

Tuesday 15 September 2026

As ageing power stations retire and Australia continues its transition towards more renewable energy, the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC), Tony Mahar, has worked with key stakeholders to deliver a groundbreaking commitment to address insurance concerns raised by some farmers and landholders living alongside new proposed developments.

The potential impact of large-scale renewable energy projects on neighbouring landholders' public liability insurance arrangements has been an ongoing concern across the country for some time. Farmers in-particular have questioned whether their existing public liability insurance cover would be sufficient if an accident originating on their property, or an out-of-control fire that crosses it, damaged neighbouring renewable energy infrastructure.

Given that wind farms, solar farms and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) can represent investments worth hundreds of millions of dollars, some landholders feared they could be exposed to financial risks beyond the limits of their existing insurance policies.

In response to these concerns, the AEIC brought together representatives from the renewable energy industry, government agencies, insurance organisations, farming groups and landholder representatives, to facilitate the development of a shared "hold harmless" approach which will provide reassurance to local residents and their insurers that they will not be pursued by renewable energy project owners, operators or their insurers for accidental damage.

AEIC Commissioner Tony Mahar said the outcome demonstrates the value of bringing different sectors together to solve practical challenges associated with the energy transition.

"This is a practical example of industry, insurers, farming groups and government working together to make the energy shift smoother and fairer for regional communities," Mr Mahar said.

This outcome has been achieved through the development of a template developer deed poll and an insurance policy "waiver of subrogation" draft clause. These measures will operationalise – and provide additional assurance to underpin – individual developers' voluntary commitment to waive their rights of recovery (including by their insurers) against neighbouring landholders and related parties (except in cases of gross negligence or deliberate misconduct).

In practical terms, this means neighbouring farmers and landholders will not be pursued for accidental damage to a renewable energy facility unless they have acted recklessly or intentionally caused the damage.

Mr Mahar acknowledged the proactive and positive approach from the renewable energy sector in helping to come up with an approach that could respond to community concerns and provide assurances and public commitment to the hold harmless model.

This "hold harmless" approach has been developed over 12 months through an ongoing national effort, with today's Joint Statement formally endorsed by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), the National Insurance Brokers Association, the National Farmers Federation, the Victorian and Queensland Farmers Federations, the NSW Farmers Association, and Coexistence Queensland.

"Today's announcement demonstrates what can be achieved when industry, insurers, farmers and government work together to pre-emptively solve a problem before it presents itself," said Jackie Trad, the Chief Executive Officer of the CEC (the national peak body for the renewable energy sector).

"Regional communities across Australia have asked for clear answers about how the rollout of clean energy infrastructure will impact them. Today's announcement addresses real concerns and supports stronger relationships between landholders, communities, and the clean energy sector," she said.

Landholders seeking further information are encouraged to visit the AEIC website or contact their neighbouring renewable energy developer, project operator or their state farming organisation.

The AEIC will continue to support this initiative through annual reviews and by advocating for the inclusion of the hold harmless approach within the Developer Rating Scheme, government policy frameworks, and broader social licence commitments across the renewable energy sector.

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Disclaimer: Oberon Matters has no editorial opinion either way on the matter of wind towers near Oberon. This article is for public information only. Please see our position of total neutrality.

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