Developer puts forward plan for meteorological mast at Captains Mountain, to test site for possible wind farm project

A parcel of land could be the site of a major new wind farm, after a developer put forward plans for a meteorological mast to test weather conditions.

A company has put forward a second proposal for a meteorological mast, at a site which could become a wind farm. Picture Chris Kidd

A developer has put forward a plan for another massive meteorological tower on a large parcel of land south-west of Toowoomba, in the hope the area will be suitable for a future wind farm.

Wind Power Development Australia Pty Ltd this week submitted a second applications for a meteorological mast along Blackwell Rd at Captains Mountain, not far from Millmerran.

The company had already submitted another proposal for a different mast, also measuring 105m in height, for a parcel along the Gore Highway.

The report by Precinct Urban Planning said the mast would test whether the weather conditions in the area were suitable for a wind farm.

“The establishment of the meteorological mast on the site does not of itself confirm that a wind farm will ultimately be established on the site,” the report said.

“Any subsequent decision to establish a wind farm on the site in the future is subject to further development approval, and a range of commercial and physical considerations, not least of which is the demonstrated meteorological suitability of the site for such purposes.

“The proposed mast is of triangular steel lattice construction, approximately 105 metres in height and will be supported by guy wires.

The masts will be equipped with wind and weather sensors at various heights, which will allow for measurements of meteorological data including wind speed, wind direction, wind shear, wind turbulence and air density.”

The mast is expected to have a life expectancy of up to five years, by which time the necessary data will have been collected.

Wind Power Development Australia is a subsidiary for Danish energy company Vestas Wind Systems.

The council yet to respond to the application.