Toowoomba council to assess 800MW solar farm, battery project at Punchs Creek by Skylab

One of the largest solar farms in Queensland could be coming to a massive parcel of land near Toowoomba — and its construction could create work for more than 400 people.

A massive Toowoomba region solar farm and battery storage project could be worth more than $1.5bn and employ about 450 people during construction if realised.

Brisbane boutique renewable energy developer Skylab lodged plans with the Toowoomba Regional Council last week for a two-stage 800MW solar project and 250MW battery storage system across more than 1300ha of agricultural land at Punch’s Creek.

The project, to be located about an hour southwest of Toowoomba, has been in development since 2019 but was fast-tracked following changes in government policy and the increasing purchasing price for solar power.

It comes as the Darling Downs finds itself as the host of some of the biggest solar and wind projects in both Australia and the southern hemisphere.

According to the planning report by Echo Consultants’ Claire Driessen, the project would feed electricity into the existing Powerlink 330kV transmission line that runs through the site.

Solar farm developer Skylab Australia, operating under Punchs Creek Renewable Energy Pty Ltd, has lodged plans for a new 800MW project and 250MW battery storage across 1345 hectares on Punchs Creek Road in Punchs Creek.

“(The battery system) will store excess energy generated by the solar farm and support the grid by providing power to the grid in peak periods of demand or when there is a lack of energy generation,” the report said.

“The solar and battery facility will represent a positive diversification of the local economy, in addition to the existing and predominant agricultural industries in the area.

“The renewable energy facility will greatly benefit the local economy through the creation of up to 450 jobs during the construction phase, up to 10 permanent jobs during the operational phase, as well as indirect benefits to local businesses, contractors and suppliers.

“The proposed development area represents an ideal location as it is already cleared and modified due to preparation and use of the site for cropping and grazing purposes, and the Powerlink (transmission line) traverses directly through the site.”

Ms Driessen’s report said the site would still be used for sheep grazing, arguing it would “result in direct and indirect economic benefits through the grazing itself, farm jobs and growth in the sheep industry in the region”.

Reports were also submitted relating to cultural heritage, traffic and water impacts, visual assessments and environmental management.

Skylab managing director Cameron Meekin, who had recently completed a 100MW solar farm at Goondiwindi, said the current political climate was about to prompt a wave of investment in renewables.

“The policies that the state and federal governments have committed to have triggered investment in renewables,” he said.

“In this environment they’re putting massive amounts of money into renewables and that’s led to private investment.”

Mr Meekin said he had already secured an equity partner to fund the project, with the goal of moving soil by the middle of next year.