2 Queensland Wind Farm Proposals Put on Hold for Community Input
An additional two wind farm proposals will undergo mandatory public consultation, according to the Queensland state government.
The move comes just weeks after the Crisafulli Liberal National Party (LNP) government said it would put all new wind farm developments in the state on hold to ensure any incoming developments pass community consultation.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Jarrod Bleijie said the previous Labor government’s lack of community consultation on wind farms had seen regional Australians “treated like second-class citizens.”
The Marmadua Energy Park and the Middle Creek Energy Hub, 23 kilometres east of Tara, and 15 kilometres south of Wandoan respectively, have now been issued with proposed ‘call in’ notices.
The call-in will allow community members, local governments and other stakeholders to have a say in the projects up until May 19, 2025.
The Marmadua Energy Park proposes 110 wind turbines over 11,000 hectares, while the Middle Creek Energy Hub project is for 183 wind turbines across 28,000 hectares.
Bleijie said it was important for regional communities to have a say.
“Today’s announcement ensures a consistent approach to delivering the LNP’s election commitment across all wind farm development proposals, irrespective of whether they were lodged before or after the regulatory change,” he said in a statement.
“Regional Queensland communities have been overwhelmingly supportive of this recent policy change, which puts their communities back at the decision-making table.
“It’s only fair that the regions that play host to these large-scale new developments are consulted as part of any approval process.”
Bleijie said, “The government will continue to consult on the implementation of its broader election commitment, to provide the social licence developers the need when delivering projects of this nature, providing community and investor certainty.”
There have been widespread concerns across some Queensland communities around wind farms, including ambient sound and the danger to local ecosystems.
The “whirring” sound caused by giant wind turbines can potentially drown out koala mating calls, further complicating an already dire situation caused by loss of habitat due to land clearing.
The companies behind the two wind farms have been contacted for comment.
