Qld politics: $1bn Moonlight Range wind farm axed by LNP Govt

A major 88-turbine wind farm that was set to generate enough energy to power 260,000 homes has been canned by the state government.

Moonlight Range in Central Queensland

• Editor’s view: One big question

A major 88-turbine wind farm proposal north of Rockhampton that was set to generate enough energy to power 260,000 homes has been canned by the state government.

Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie has, for the first time, used extraordinary powers to cancel the $1bn Moonlight Range Wind Farm proposal 40km northwest of Rockhampton.

The project received planning approval from Queensland’s State Assessment and Referral Agency in December 2024; however, in January, Mr Bleijie issued a call-in notice to pause the Rockhampton project, and three others, to allow for community consultation.

Opposition energy spokesman Lance McCallum at the time said the pausing of wind farm projects through extraordinary powers showed the LNP was fundamentally opposed to a renewable energy future.

But of the more than 550 submissions received during the 40-day public consultation process, 85 per cent supported the Moonlight Range wind farm project being reviewed.

Mr Bleijie on Monday revealed that following that review, the wind farm would not proceed.

He said the government was backing local communities who had raised concerns over wind farm developments, but were not consulted.

Member for Mirani Glen Kelly

“For too long Queensland communities were ignored by Labor’s failed laws, which shut them out of the approvals process for renewable energy projects proposed to be built in their back yard,” he said.

“Queenslanders deserve to have a say on any major development in their local community, which is why our government introduced new nation-leading laws to give them a voice on issues that impact that future of their towns.

“Today’s announcement highlights how these laws are already helping to level the playing field by ensuring councils and communities have a seat at the decision making table.”

The state government this month introduced new planning law requirements to force renewable energy projects to gain local council consent and undergo mandatory community consultation before lodging development applications.

The 1269ha Moonlight Range Wind Farm by Greenleaf Renewables did not meet those requirements.

Member for Mirani Glen Kelly, who had opposed the project, said the government had listened to community concerns.

“These large-scale developments impact on local infrastructure, people living and working in these communities and also the natural environment,” he said.

“Local residents affected by these projects had no say, and concerns around the impacts on their communities were ignored.”