Tarong West Wind Farm: Five roads highlighted for impact

Ironpot, Mannuem, Nords/Red Tank and Jumma roads are South Burnett roads expected to be impacted during construction of the Tarong West Wind Farm, and the South Burnett council is moving to try to control the one thing it says it can.

The South Burnett Regional Council has taken a proactive step in addressing potential road impacts from the Tarong West Wind Farm which is set to begin construction next year.

The South Burnett Regional Council has taken a proactive step in addressing potential road impacts from the $776million Tarong West Wind Farm which is set to begin construction from 2025.

On July 25, 2024, the state government granted its approval for the wind farm project, to be built about 30km west of Kingaroy and 8km north-west of Kumbia.

The 97-turbine project will produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 230,000 homes and is estimated to create about 200 jobs during construction and 15 ongoing operational roles.

Ironpot, Mannuem, Nords/Red Tank and Jumma roads are South Burnett roads expected to be impacted during construction of the Tarong West Wind Farm, and the South Burnett council is moving to try to control the one thing it says it can.

It is backed by $776.1 million from the Queensland Government’s Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund and is underpinned by the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan objectives of fostering economic growth, promoting local employment, and supporting regional communities.

The council voted on Wednesday to formally engage with the community and the project’s proponents, RES and Stanwell, about possible transport routes for the wind farm’s construction.

The roads expected to be affected are Ironpot Rd, Mannuem Rd, Nords Rd/Red Tank Rd, and Jumma Rd.

They will be used for installing components of the wind farm and other materials, which a council manager said would have an impact.

Other roads may also experience increased traffic depending on where the materials are sourced.

Division 5 councillor Heath Sander was keen to point out the limited input council had on the project or its approval.

“The council doesn’t have a say in this, on the project going ahead, but what we can do is we can have a say on which routes they take to get there to minimise any damage to the roads that come back to us on a later date,” Mr Sander said.

“People might attack us and say that we’re supporting projects like this, but we’re just trying to minimise the impact to the ratepayers over the duration of the project.”

Mayor Kathy Duff supported Mr Sander’s statement, highlighting that wind farms did not approach the council directly.

“The only thing that we can do is negotiate an infrastructure agreement and that is only if the wind farm is in our region,” Ms Duff said.

Originally published as Tarong West Wind Farm: Five roads highlighted for impact