Fresh Start for Queensland: Community consultation for additional wind farm proposals
- Two additional wind farm proposals to undergo mandatory public consultation.
- Labor's failed laws did not require any community consultation.
- Wind farms now to have approval processes consistent with other major developments, delivering on an election commitment.
The Crisafulli Government is ensuring local communities are consulted on two new wind farm developments, in line with the LNP's election commitment.
Wind farm development applications for the Marmadua Energy Park and the Middle Creek Energy Hub, 23km east of Tara, and 15km south of Wandoan respectively, have been issued with proposed 'call in' notices.
The call in will allow community members, local governments, and other stakeholders to make submissions as to whether the proposals meet State interests.
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.
The consultation period of 40 business days will close on 19 May 2025.
This action continues to deliver on the LNP's election commitment to ensure renewable energy projects are impact assessable with approval processes consistent with other land uses like mining.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said for too long local Queensland communities had been sidelined under Labor's failed laws, which do not require any community consultation.
"Queenslanders backed our election commitment to provide both local communities and councils a say in new renewable energy developments in their backyard," Minister Bleijie said.
"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.
"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.
"The Government will continue to consult on the implementation of its broader election commitment, to provide the social licence developers need when delivering projects of this nature, providing community and investor certainty."
