Central Queensland Power has reported that the Moah Creek Wind Farm project has achieved two key development milestones.
The Queensland State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) has granted planning approval for the Moah Creek Wind Farm project, marking a significant step in the development process. This approval provides consent from the Queensland Government under the Planning Act 2016 for the construction of the wind farm and associated vegetation clearing.
According to Central Queensland Power, the project was designed to minimise native vegetation clearing, reducing the clearing of ‘of concern’ and ‘endangered’ native vegetation to less than 1% of the project’s total footprint, achieved through 2.5 years of field surveys and an iterative design process.
Additionally, the company reported that the Moah Creek Wind Farm has been referred to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for review under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Following DCCEEW’s assessment, a public comment period will be announced, allowing those concerned about the project’s environmental impact to voice their concerns.
The project, set to commence construction in Q2 2025, will provide clean electricity to over 195,000 houses, generate around $1 billion in investment, create 400 jobs during construction, and establish a community fund and a Neighbour Shared Benefit scheme, thereby enhancing the social and economic benefits of Rockhampton and the region.
“These development milestones for the Moah Creek Wind Farm are timely given the Palaszczuk government’s recent announcement that the state-owned energy company Stanwell Corporation will be starting early works this year on its Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (FEITH), based in Rockhampton. The hub will be a facility to test new renewables technologies including wind, as well as a practical training facility to develop the skills needed to help deliver on Queensland’s Energy and Jobs Plan,” CQP Director Vincent Dwyer said.
