$2b Forest Wind project at Tuan to go before Federal Environment Department

A multibillion-dollar renewable energy project north of Gympie is about to face its next hurdle on the way to approval.

A proposed $2 billion wind farm in the Tuan Forest is about to be put before the Federal Environment Department to determine if it complis with environmental laws for the area.

A proposed $2 billion wind farm in the Tuan Forest between Gympie and Maryborough is about to face its next hurdle on the way to approval thanks to a detour to the Federal Government.

The proposed 1200 megawatt project will soon be assessed by the Federal Environment Department to determine if it complies with environment laws for the area.

The company said in its latest public update it was preparing the necessary Request for Information report to submit to the department.

A public notification period will then be set.

Since its announcement at the start of 2020, the project has proven controversial.

Some residents raised concerns about the size of the project, alleged environmental and fire hazards, and noise pollution, while others have openly supported the project.

The wind farm is planned to be built across a large expanse of the forest between Gympie and Maryborough.

Criticism over consultation efforts was rebutted by Forest Wind and the State Government.

The project has drawn strong support from Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour and Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders.

Despite the flurry of news following the wind farm’s unveiling this year details have been scarce.

Forest Wind’s website has only issued one update on the project in the past 10 months, in June-July.

This was after almost monthly updates between February and October last year followings its unveiling.

Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said outside the assessment under the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Protection Act the fate of the wind farm rests solely in the hands of the Queensland Government.

“I don’t have any input into the decision making process,” Mr O’Brien said.

He did have reservations about it, though.

“I support cheap reliable dispatchable power,” he said.

“I was disappointed when the project was first announced that it was shrouded in State Government political secrecy.

“There are concerns about the potential intrusion of transmission lines across private agricultural land holdings.”

Forest Wind said once finished the renewable energy hub will be able to power one quarter of Queensland homes.

Forest Wind’s newsletter said it had been investigating the best way to haul items including the turbines’ blades and towers into the area.

“Once the transport routes have been further refined, we will share these plans and consult with the local community,” the company said.

Another round of community consultation is on the cards, too, but an update is not expected until October at the earliest.

On Friday the company said work was continuing and “we look forward to continuing engagement with the local community, local businesses and other stakeholders as the project progresses”.