Mr. Rory Somers:

I will start by saying we are not responsible, as the Chair knows, for the publication of the draft regulations. Our role has been to input to the development of the draft regulations and the revisions to the exemptions to align with the policy intentions of renewable energy generation. We have certainly tried to ensure the exemptions will improve people's access to putting solar PV on the roof and on ground-mounted systems without requirements for planning. We receive updates from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage directly so I cannot comment with any certainty on timelines. We certainly recognise that it has taken longer than was anticipated. There have been some challenges. There have been additional requirements on appropriate assessments that have come into force because of EU directives. These have increased the workload of the Department. I can say it is a focus for our Minister and we understand it is a focus for members of the committee.

On the details of the exemptions themselves, there are minimum requirements within the exemptions and maximum thresholds for exemptions. The intention is to review those and improve on them and to provide exemptions to new building types. We expect it will facilitate greater deployment of solar PV in the future. On the timelines and the aviation piece, a particular concern has been raised by the aviation authority regulator on the impact of glint and glare around airports and especially on the flight paths for aircraft coming in to airports and aerodromes. This includes helicopter pads at hospitals as well. We understand the intention is to issue interim regulations that do not fully account for the impact on the vicinity of aerodromes in the first instance, in order to expedite the process. Mapping or boundaries will be set around recognised aerodromes that allow the process to be expedited faster.