Greenleaf Renewables are pushing ahead with the Federal environmental approvals process for the Moonlight Range Wind project despite their state approval being cancelled earlier this year following a ministerial call-in. A move that Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce and State Member for Mirani, Glen Kelly, say demonstrates a blatant disregard for the community.
The developer of the controversial Moonlight Range Wind project has stated in their November newsletter that they’re proceeding to the next stage of the EPBC approval process and that it’s expected to be released for public exhibition on November 11.
Mr Boyce said the Moonlight Range Wind project did not have community support and that it should not proceed.
“Submissions to the Deputy Premier made it clear that the project did not have community support with 88% of local residents opposed to the project proceeding,” Mr Boyce said.
“The Moonlight Range Wind project was found to have not met the requirements of the Queensland Government’s new planning laws, which were to ensure that renewable energy projects are assessed in the same manner as other major resource developments.
“I strongly supported the action by the Queensland Government to cancel this project. The Queensland Government has introduced these new laws to give locals a say in what developments can proceed in their backyards.
“I have grave concerns that if the current EPBC legislation introduced into Federal Parliament is passed, it will give the Federal Environment Minister the ability to steamroll State Governments processes and with it, the local communities’ voice.”
Mr Kelly said he is deeply disappointed that the developer continues to ignore the local community.
“The community rejected this project and the State acted accordingly. Now the developer is attempting to go through the Federal process to force the issue back onto the table. It’s a tactic, and everyone can see it,” Mr Kelly said.
“The Deputy Premier cancelled this project because the proponent failed to genuinely engage with affected landholders, failed to demonstrate adequate worker accommodation planning, and failed to show they were acting in good faith.”
Mr Kelly said nothing has changed since.
“They’re still not communicating with the community, not proposing any meaningful benefits or legacy outcomes, and not doing anything to build trust or local support,” Mr Kelly said.
“The location isn’t the right place, and unless they really pick up their act with community engagement there’s very little chance they’re going to get this project through under the new legislation around wind and solar approvals in Queensland.”
The Moonlight Range Wind project has a proposed 88 turbines with a tip height of 280 metres and is expected to have a disturbance footprint of 1,269 ha.
The EPBC application for the Moonlight Range Wind project can be found here: https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/project-referral-summary/?id=a0b66952-4a8a-ee11-be36-000d3a794b99