Pikedale Wind Farm proposal for west of Stanthorpe receives cold response from community
A proposed wind farm west of Stanthorpe set to be the size of more than 30,000 MCG playing fields has received an unwelcome response from residents. Here’s why.
Regional News
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While only in the early planning stages, a proposal for a 200-turbine wind farm west of Stanthorpe has received an unwelcome response from residents.
Australian owned renewable energy company Squadron Energy is proposing to build the major project across an area of 61,775ha between Stanthorpe and Texas, which is about the size of 35,000 MCG playing fields.
Wind turbines aside, the proposal also includes battery energy storage and is estimated to produce enough electricity to power around 647,000 homes and prevent 553,000 tonnes of annual emissions.
A second site northwest of MacIntyre at Gore, Herries Range, reached the late stages of development in 2024 and is set to host the capacity to power a further 700,000 homes.
Landowners surrounding Springdale, Pikes Creek, Terrica, Mallow and Goldfields were first notified about the project when they received a letter in the mail in early April from Squadron Energy, inviting them to attend community information sessions in Stanthorpe.
Springdale resident Marcus Parnell was less than impressed by what seemed to be a lack of information provided about the project during Monday night’s information session.
Mr Parnell said many of the questions he posed to Squadron Energy representatives about the project were not answered.
“They don’t even know what kind of turbines they’re going to be putting up, the only information they had was about all the bells and whistles,” he said.
If the project was to go ahead Mr Parnell’s property would have a front-row seat to the turbines, a view he strongly opposes with an already prominent view of the McIntyre Wind Farm.
Mr Parnell said he doesn’t believe the proposed site is in an area that would generate enough wind to make the project viable.
“In the past two weeks I’ve seen maybe five of the 65 turbines (at MacIntyre Wind Farm) I can see turning,” he said.
“We didn’t have any windy days (in that period) that would be worth putting through a turbine.”
Mr Parnell said he was concerned about the divisive impact of the proposal on the community, with a petition against the proposal quickly gaining hundreds of signatures after the recent information sessions.
A Squadron Energy spokesman told News Corp the proposed wind farm was in the very early stages of development and was seeking the community’s perspectives and input.
“Community consultation is a key focus of our development process. This is just the beginning of our engagement, to seek extensive community input,” the spokesman said.
“We are hosting drop-in information sessions so the community can learn more about the proposed wind farm, to provide feedback and to get to know the team.
“We really encourage everyone to have their say, as we work together to build Australia’s clean energy future.”
The spokesman said the community information sessions are just the beginning of their ongoing engagement process, which will see them continue to work collaboratively with the community to understand and mitigate impacts and identify mutually beneficial opportunities.
“To date, we have been carrying out early engagement with host landowners, contacting neighbours and other stakeholders, in addition to constraint assessment and some initial survey work in the area to further understand the area’s biodiversity, as well as the
available wind resource,” the spokesman said.
Southern Downs mayor Melissa Hamilton welcomed the opportunity, while MP James Lister strongly opposes the project.
Ms Hamilton said council first became aware of the project when they were contacted by local farmers who were looking to get involved in the project.
“They met with the portfolio holders for economic development and agriculture to make sure we understood the significant opportunity for them to diversify their income and drought proof their farms,” she said.
Council will begin a community engagement project in 2025 to gauge the interest of the community in renewable energy projects and any benefits they expect to see if the Queensland government approves them.
“As this specific project progresses, the recent changes by the Queensland government to make projects impact assessable give us a seat at the table and means our voice is heard when it comes to impacts on our community,” Ms Hamilton said.
“Council will be involved in the consultation phase of the project and will advocate for our community to ensure we get real and tangible benefits from any developments approved by the state government.”
Mr Lister said his opposition to wind farms comes as no surprise, having told the developers of the Pikedale proposal unless they achieve genuine community acceptance and deliver long term community benefits, he will oppose their proposals.
“The fundamental problem is that these things divide communities as a small minority receive very significant financial benefits, while the remainder of the community have to experience the impacts uncompensated,” he said.
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