Moonlight Range Wind Farm proposed for Rockhampton region

A new wind farm may be built in the Rockhampton region with details for the proposed project revealed.

Another renewables project could soon call the Rockhampton region home with a new wind farm proposed on the outskirts of the area.

Greenleaf Renewables, an independent project developer, is proposing to build the $1 billion Moonlight Range Wind Farm on farmland at Morinish South near Rockhampton.

The project is proposed to be made up of 97 wind turbines all standing up to 280 metres tall.

While the project is still in its infancy stages, if approved, construction is expected to begin in 2026, with a lifespan of up to 35 years when complete.

According to the project’s website, the site comprises of six properties and about 20,000 hectares with the land the turbines would be built on incorporating the Moonlight Range rideline.

The site says farming operations would still be able to continue on the properties involved.

According to the project’s website, the project would create up to 10 permanent jobs, with 300 jobs at peak construction period.

Once complete the wind farm will be able to power more than 260,000 homes, and would have a 275kV connection into the Powerlink network.

Greenleaf Renewables, the company leading the project, has partnered with Brookfield Renewable to develop, build and operate the proposed site.

Moonlight Range will be one of the company’s three projects in its Queensland portfolio which includes Stony Creek Wind Farm, near Biggenden, and another South-East Queensland project which is in the pre-feasibility study and early engagement stage.

Central Queensland is home to a number of solar and wind projects, with some of them already under construction.

This includes the Clarke Creek Wind Farm where the first 207m tall wind turbine was installed in early October.

In October the Smoky Creek Solar Power Station near Biloela was given the tick of approval by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

While renewable projects seem to be popping up all over the region, they haven’t come without any pushback from concerned locals.

In August a group of residents from Kalapa took their fight against the Moah Creek Wind Farm to The Courier-Mail’s Bush Summit, held at the Great Western Hotel.

The group held a peaceful rally to ensure their voices were heard, before taking their cause to state parliament.

Originally published as Moonlight Range Wind Farm proposed for Rockhampton region