Queensland Pauses Wind Farm Development as MP Raises Koala Safety Concerns

Several Queensland wind farms will be put on hold, as the government issues a call-in notice on a Rockhampton project.

This picture taken on April 6, 2024 shows a native Australian koala being held by a keeper during a show for tourists at Hartley's Crocodile Adventure Park located north of the Queensland city of Cairns in Australia. David Gray/AFP via Getty Images

Development of the Greenleaf Renewables and Brookfield-backed Moonlight Range Wind Farm in the Rockhampton region has been paused following residents’ concerns about an alleged lack of consultation.

The community, and the project, have until March 14 to provide feedback, after which the government can make a decision on whether or not to call the project in.

It is understood that other developing Queensland wind farms, including Wongalee and Prairie near Townsville and Theodore and Bungaban, will also be temporarily on hold.

Koalas in Rockhampton Region

Mirani Liberal National Party (LNP) MP Glen Kelly took to social media in early January sharing video footage of a koala up a tree in the Lotus Creek region between Rockhampton and its northern neighbour Mackay, near where the Lotus Creek Wind Farm is located, to show the biodiversity of the region.

According to the Australian Koala Foundation, koalas can be found along Australia’s east coast, as far south as Victoria stretching up to North Queensland.

“And yet they don’t seem to be an issue when it comes to renewable energy projects such as wind turbines,” Kelly said.

“So, Tanya Plibersek really needs to wake up with what’s going on here because this is one of the most unique areas for koalas and I mean, if this isn’t an issue in the cities, it’s certainly an issue in the bush.”

Experts have expressed concerns about wind farms going into koala habitat across the state, citing fears the “whirring” noises could prevent koalas from finding mates while simultaneously depriving them of habitat.

Koalas are an endangered species.

The Moonlight Range project would house 88 wind turbines over 20,000 hectares of land - an expanse just shy of 38 football fields.

Government Says Consultation Lacking

The government’s call-in notice means residents, local governments and other stakeholders will have until March 14 to make a submission on the wind farm and other projects currently underway.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie claimed Labor’s approach had stripped communities of a right to have a say on wind farms.

“It’s only fair that the regions that play host to these large-scale new developments are consulted as part of any approval process,” he said in a statement.

“We will continue to consult in the implementation of our election commitment, to fix Labor’s flawed and inconsistent code assessable approval system for projects of this nature.

“All projects, whether they are renewable energy, agriculture or mining should be subject to the same rigorous approvals process which includes community consultation and we will amend the assessment process to deliver this certainty to Queenslanders.”

Kelly said there had been a lack of consultation with the Moonlight Range project.

“Renewable energy developers should have a social licence for these sorts of projects to go to the next step,” he said.

“Under the previous Labor Government these developers’ version of community consultation was a lecture, telling communities what was going to happen, not taking concerns onboard from the communities that are impacted by these projects.

“The opening of the consultation period of the Moonlight Range Wind Farm gives the surrounding community a chance to finally have their voices heard.”

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek was contacted for comment.

Greenleaf Responds

Greenleaf, one of the companies overseeing Moonlight Range, says it is dedicated to an open and robust process.

“Greenleaf remains committed to maintaining open and transparent communication with all stakeholders,” a spokesperson told The Epoch Times.

“We support robust and equitable approval processes that demonstrate engagement with local communities, as well as scientific and environmental integrity.”

The renewables company says it is confident in the compliance and quality of its development application submission, having worked with the State Assessment and Referral Agency.

Greenleaf says considerations included detailed ecological, heritage, noise, visual impact, stormwater, erosion studies, transport route, and impact assessments.