Kalapa farmer Glen Kelly concerned about Moah wind farm build

Farmers in a rural Central Queensland community have growing concerns over a wind farm being built on their doorstep, with one MP floating the idea nuclear power could be a good alternative.

Colin Boyce MP, Glen Kelly farmer, Michelle Landry MP and Nationals Leader David Littleproud.

There are big plans for the future of Central Queensland and its involvement in meeting the Federal Government’s net zero target, with hydrogen and wind farm projects galore.

But graziers and local MPs have raised concerns about the impact wind farm projects will have on the environment they’re meant to try and preserve, with a fresh push for nuclear energy also emerging.

Property owners at Kalapa, west of Rockhampton, are particularly concerned about the 10,910 hectare Moah Creek wind farm project.

The project is just one of the many renewable energy developments around Central Queensland, with wind farms also being built at Clarke Creek, Mount Hopeful and Boulder Creek.

On Thursday it was revealed work had ground to a halt at the Clarke Creek project as billionaire Andrew Forrest started a full “project management review” as wind turbines continue to be delivered to the site.

An artist impression of the Moah wind farm at Kalapa.

Sixth generation cattle farmer Glen Kelly said building the wind farms would involve “extensive clearing” of untouched land on steep mountain ranges.

He recently met with Capricornia MP Michelle Landry, Flynn MP Colin Boyce and Nationals leader David Littleproud to discuss his concerns about the Moah Wind Farm.

“We are facing the fight of our lives, and we’re doing it for our next generation who are the ones who will be left to clean up the mess,” he said.

“We have no say on this project as there is no compulsory public consultation phase in wind farm development applications. We feel like the guinea pigs – the Moah Creek turbines will be up to 275 metres to the blade tip, sitting on mountains up to 400 metres tall.”

Mr Kelly said the Kalapa community “wasn’t prepared” for a renewable energy project to be on their doorstep so quickly.

An artist impression of the Moah wind farm at Kalapa.

“It breaks my heart to see where they want to put these projects, I believe there is a place for them but it’s certainly not in these vegetation areas and these high risk areas of fire, let alone the areas our natural habitat that they (animals) use to live,” he said.

A spokesperson for Energy Estate, representing the Moah Creek Wind Farm, said open and honest conversations were being had with neighbours concerned about the proximity of turbines to their land and revealed planning for a benefit scheme was underway.

“State Code 23 that regulates wind farms stipulates that a turbine cannot be closer than 1.5 kms to a dwelling. Our project complies with that set back,” the spokesperson said.

“The land where the project will be located on is not untouched as it has been modified over many years for a range of farming and agricultural purposes.

“In recognition that there will be impacts on near neighbours, the project is currently finalising the details of a Neighbour Shared Benefit Scheme that will enable benefits from our project to be meaningfully shared with project neighbours.

“The SBS will start at the commencement of construction of the project and will continue through its operational life. It will be opened up to project neighbours prior to the commencement of construction and eligibility for inclusion in the scheme will be based on a clear set of criteria.

“The eligibility of each property will depend on factors such as the presence of a dwelling on the property and the distance of the property to the project.

“The process of engaging with the project’s neighbours to introduce the scheme is underway and will continue to ensure all impacted properties are properly consulted.”

The spokesperson also rejected claim residents did not have a chance to have a say on the project, stating seven public drop-in information sessions had been held in the past two years with high publicity and attendance.

“We have published and distributed (by various means) five project newsletters that include information about how people can contact us. We have contact details on our project website that point residents to the various ways they can be in contact,” they said.

“We have held several face-to-face meetings with near neighbours and will continue to do so. We have undertaken to notify all stakeholders as soon as our EPBC referral has been lodged and we are informed of the dates for the Public Comment Period so as to ensure they are aware of that opportunity to have their say on environmental aspects of our propjet.”

MP hosts nuclear energy forum

Last Wednesday night Flynn MP Colin Boyce held a forum in Gladstone with co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Nuclear Industries Dr David Gillespie.

With dozens of people in attendance, the forum discussed the role nuclear could play in Australia’s energy market and industries over renewable projects such as wind and solar, as well as misconceptions around it.

“To distribute renewable energy, more than $100 billion will need to be spent on 28,000 kilometres of transmission lines and the establishment of renewable energy projects such as wind and solar. These poles and wires will run through farming land, national parks, and suburbs,” Mr Boyce said.

“Aside from the huge environmental impact of this rollout, every dollar spent will be passed onto Australian consumers in the form of higher electricity bills.

“Next generation, small modular nuclear technologies are safe, reliable, cost effective, can be plugged into existing grids where coal has been turned-off, and emit zero emissions.”

A spokesman for Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the Albanese Government was committed to ensuring renewables projects “stack up socially and environmentally”.

“The former government were in power for a decade and failed to reform the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission – the RIT-T process was seriously flawed and badly in need of improvement,” the spokesman said.

“We are working with state jurisdictions to develop a national approach to best practice consultation and engagement.

“There is already a body of work underway on reforms to the RIT-T to ensure it is fit for purpose.

“If the nuclear Nationals want to talk to people about social licence, I hope they ask where they want their local SMR located.

“The Gencost report found that a small reactor typically costs eight times as much as wind and solar.”