Maranoa Regional Council and David Littleproud take action over wind farm concerns

Following concerns of the potential impacts of wind farms on landholders and regional communities, Maranoa Regional Council is hosting a public forum for residents and neighbouring councils to ‘get on the front foot’ as the industry expands.

Concerns over the potential negative effects of wind farming have been steadily growing, however the topic came to a head at this year’s LGAQ Bush Council in Goondiwindi with regional councils eager to proactively prepare for the growing industry.

Now the issue is on the Maranoa region’s front doorstep as more and more wind farm contracts are being offered to local landholders, with the Maranoa Regional Council and federal member for Maranoa David Littleproud taking action.

After landholders Anna and Edward Bassett urged the Maranoa Regional Council to address some of the problems with wind farms, a motion to hold a public forum was put forward at the August 23 Ordinary Meeting.

Mayor Tyson Golder said holding an open public information session would be a good learning opportunity for residents to understand how wind farms work and what some of the side effects are.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t know much and might be affected by it,” Mr Golder said.

“It would be good to have an impartial forum to really talk about what’s happened and move forward.

Maranoa Regional Council Mayor Tyson Golder.

“This was brought up by a local resident concerned that people don’t realise what’s happening until they’re built and it’s too late.

“One of the local resident’s daughters is involved with this in NSW and had the effects of it. They might be able to Skype in and give their feedback so we can learn from that as a community.”

Deputy mayor Geoff McMullen said it was important to remind landholders they were the ones with the power to say no to wind farm projects on their land.

“I don’t think many of the landholders understand if you say no, it’s no,” Mr McMullen said.

“They can’t come on to your place. There’s no government thing that supports them to go on.

“If the landholder says no, it’s all over.”

All councillors agreed the information session would be valuable, especially if neighbouring councils who already have wind farm projects in their regions can come along too and offer their knowledge.

Federal member for Maranoa David Littleproud joined farmers outside Queensland Parliament House who were rallying against renewables, citing concerns over prime agricultural land and animal habitat. Picture: Supplied.

Representatives from the Western Downs and South Burnett local government areas have been formally invited to attend the meeting as well as Goondiwindi mayor Lawrence Springborg who has been vocally advocating for better understanding of the effects of wind farming.

“From the Bush Council it was very strongly talked about, it’s no good reinventing the wheel, if they’ve got problems down there we need to know about them and by the sounds of it there’s a lot of problems and misinformation people don’t know,” Mr McMullen said.

“It affects not only them (landholders), but everyone else around that area.”

Councillor Julie Guthrie said this was a timely issue now that more landholders all around Roma were being approached by wind farm companies.

Councillor Johanne Hancock agreed and said the sooner everyone in the community was educated on the effects of wind farming the better, as the industry continued to grow.

Federal member for Maranoa David Littleproud joined farmers outside Queensland Parliament House who were rallying against renewables, citing concerns over prime agricultural land and animal habitat. Picture: Supplied.

“I think this is a proactive step by council to get on the front step, it will be incredible to learn from our neighbouring councils to what effects it does have, both positive and negative, for the community,” Ms Hancock said.

Councillors voted 9-0 to host a public information session on 15 September 2023 on the effects of wind farming.

Further, Mr Littleproud has rallied for locals to have their say on renewable energy projects as part of a federal government review headed by Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Andrew Dyer.

The Community Engagement Review aims to improve community engagement during the planning and deployment of renewable energy projects and upgrades in communities.

The review comes after primary producers gathered for recent rallies in both Brisbane and Melbourne to voice their concerns about the impact renewable energy projects are having on the agricultural sector.

The public consultation period is open now for submissions until October 1, 2023 at 5pm.

Originally published as Maranoa Regional Council and David Littleproud take action over wind farm concerns