North Burnett solar farm proposal hits pushback

A proposed 1200ha solar farm between Monto and Eidsvold has met with backlash from the local community, and follows an incident earlier this month where angry protesters tore down the fence around another nearby solar farm.

The proposed development of a 720MWp solar farm and battery storage facility between Monto and Eidsvold in the North Burnett has been met with some backlash over a perceived lack of community consultation and its potential impact on wildlife. Protesters tore down a fence constructed around a solar far just to the west of this development earlier in January 2025.

The proposed development of a 720MWp solar farm and battery storage facility in the North Burnett has been met with some backlash over a perceived lack of community consultation and its potential impact on wildlife.

The 1200ha project would be located at 2864 Barram Road, Wuruma Dam, between Monto and Eidsvold on land historically used for cattle production.

According to the proposal lodged with the state government, the North Burnett Renewable Energy Hub will be developed by a local subsidiary of X-Elio, a Spanish company specialising in renewable energy projects.

In Queensland, X-Elio also developed the Blue Grass solar farm, which is operational, and the Sixteen Miles solar farm, both located in the Western Downs.

Protesters removed part of a 1.8m high boundary fence on landowner Michelle Hunt's property at Bullyard, near Gin Gin in Queensland, after it was erected without her permission by the neighbouring solar farm. She says the original farm fence was ripped out and burned without her knowledge and she wants the new security fence moved onto the solar farm's land, as per the development conditions. About 70 people came from throughout south-east Qld to help remove half of the fence

Earlier this month 70 self proclaimed “property right” protesters in the North Burnett tore down fencing around a solar farm being developed to the west of this new proposal by Global Power Generation near Gin Gin.

Flora and fauna surveys found koalas and the greater glider lived in the proposed site between Monto and Eidsvold, both of which are endangered species.

An impact assessment determined the project, which would require clearing more than 1200ha has the potential to “significantly impact koala”, the assessment stated.

The proposal said the impact would be minimised through mitigation measures such as sensitive land clearing techniques, creation of wildlife corridors, and enforcing vehicle speed limits during construction and operation.

A koala at Geham, Queensland. A new proposed solar farm in the North Burnett is allegedly to be built on koala habitat. Source: Jan Clewett

Multiple posts have been made on community Facebook groups condemning the proposal, with some commenters concerned about the short time frame allowed for feedback.

“It is very obvious that so many of these disastrous projects are being approved without proper consultation and ordinary people who are not immersed in these things in their areas day to day are being hoodwinked behind their backs,” one commenter said.

While some people questioned the motive behind the outrage for the project, citing a lack of response to other land clearing activity like mining or animal grazing, the majority of commenters were against the solar project.

Many commenters referenced the long term impact this project could have on the native wildlife, in particular once the project has completed and the land returned to its “existing land capability”.

Greater glider spotted in a state forest near Maryborough at the end of July 2024. Source: Josh Bowell.

“I don’t know about you, but how the hell are they going to bring back the koalas and gliders after this? Koalas are endangered and greedy companies like this don’t care about us or our koalas. How do we get back something that will be lost forever?”

Reportedly, at least one neighbour to the proposed site did not know anything about the project until coming across a post on social media a few days ago.

“We read about it on a community fb page yesterday. Our lives are now forever changed with this and my mental health is in a dark place as a result of it. We’ve been dragged into this nightmare of which we want no part of,” they commented.

Claims of brumbies, kangaroo shot and wounded with bow and arrow

Remembering the Australia Day floods that ravaged the Burnett

Approximate Google Earth view of 2864 Barram Road, Wuruma Dam, the proposed site for the North Burnett Renewable Energy Hub. Source: Google Maps.

A petition to stop the solar farm has been created, calling for support due to the loss of habitat for koalas and greater gliders.

LNP Flynn MP Colin Boyce said there were 86 renewable energy projects in some form of proposal, negotiation or application in his constituency, but he only became aware of this particular project recently.

“I have spoken yesterday to some neighbours of this proposal … I only actually found out about this particular project in the last couple of days.”

Mr Boyce said one of the concerns with renewable energy projects was that they did not fall under the same guidelines as the agriculture or mining sector.

Protesters remove part of the new 1.8m high boundary fence on landowner Michelle Hunt's (second left) property at Bullyard, near Gin Gin in Queensland, after it was erected without her permission by the neighbouring solar farm. She says the original farm fence was ripped out and burned without her knowledge and she wants the new security fence moved onto the solar farm's land, as per the development conditions. About 70 people came from throughout south-east Qld to help remove half of the fence

“So, one of the problems with all of these issues is because of state law, which is Code 23 of the Planning Act, all of these things … are code assessable not impact assessable, and under the Act they are not obliged to tell anybody,” he said.

“What usually happens in these cases is people find out about them when the development applications are submitted to the local government authority.”

“And the problem with all of that, as we have highlighted many, many times, is this is not fair to the people that get affected, who aren’t directly affected.

“So, for an example, if you live next door to this thing, this proposal, you have no avenue to object to it.”

Mr Boyce said he was not aware of a development application being lodged with the North Burnett Regional Council at this stage.

Proposed project footprint, indicating the boundaries and proximity to the Nogo River. Source: EPBC Act Public Portal.

According to the proposal application, further community engagement will be undertaken.

This will include meetings with landowners, letter distribution to residents within a 5km radius, targeted meetings, community drop-in sessions, and meetings with community groups and the North Burnett Regional Council.

The proposal is open for public comment until January 29, 2025, on the EPBC Act Public Portal.