reviewed by the Commonwealth Ombudsman R.4 Develop key performance indicators for the timeliness of handling complaints and publish performance against these indicators Small increase in administrative costs for Office of the Commissioner Enhances transparency of the process and provides increased information about the effectiveness of the Office NA Stakeholders have increased information about the effectiveness of the Office The Office of the National Wind Farm Commissioner R.5 Include in the complaints handling policy how stakeholders can provide feedback Small increase in administrative costs for Office of the Commissioner May lead to improvements in complaints handling process NA Enhances transparency The Office of the National Wind Farm Commissioner R.6 Give the best practice recommendations for wind farms greater prominence through a summary document on the Office’s website Small increase in administrative cost for the Office of the Commissioner Enhances accessibility of best practice recommendations for modest outlay of resources Supports development of best practice wind farms assisting uptake of renewables in line with emissions reduction policies NA The Office of the National Wind Farm Commissioner R.7 Continue the National Wind Farm Commissioner’s role until 2021 and then the ongoing need for the role Ongoing cost for Australian Government Continues to resolve complaints and promote best practices Supports the development of best practice wind farms assisting uptake of renewables in line with emissions reduction policies Helps to address community concerns resulting from wind farm developments by providing free access to complaints handling services Australian Government R.8 Expand the Commissioner’s scope to large scale solar and storage such as large scale batteries Increases costs for Australian Government Addresses emerging community concerns at relatively low cost by building on existing processes and outcomes for wind farms Supports the development of best practice large scale solar and storage such as large scale batteries, assisting uptake of renewables in line with emissions reduction and energy policies Helps to address community concerns resulting from large scale solar and storage developments such as large scale batteries Australian Government R.9 Lead work with the states and territories to develop voluntary harmonised guidelines for community consultation, complaints handling and standards Increases costs for the Office of the Commissioner Streamlines approval, community consultation and complaints handling processes for renewables development, which reduces costs for business Supports the development of best practice large scale wind, solar and storage such as batteries assisting uptake of renewables and storage in line with emissions reduction and energy policies Can improve community outcomes from renewable energy and storage projects The Office of the National Wind Farm Commissioner
R.10 Consider the need for a modest increase in resourcing Increases costs for Australian Government Addresses emerging community concerns at relatively low cost by building on existing processes and outcomes for wind farms Supports the development of best practice large scale solar and storage such as batteries assisting uptake of renewables and storage in line with emissions reduction and energy policies Helps to address community concerns about a broader range of renewable energy and storage projects Australian Government R.11 Australian Government continue to fund the Commissioner’s role until 2021 and then re-evaluate funding model Increases costs for Australian Government No additional costs to Australian Government associated with legislation development and implementation or administering industry funding Supports the development of best practice large scale wind, solar and storage such as batteries assisting uptake of renewables and storage in line with emissions reduction and energy policies Minimises risk to perceived independence that can arise if funded by industry sources. On the other hand, taxpayers who do not use the services contribute to them. Services remain free to use for individuals and industry Australian Government