Construction of Gawara Baya wind farm to begin in Australia despite residents’ objections — ABC News Australia
Construction of the Gawara Baya wind farm near the extinct Mount Fox volcano in Queensland, northern Australia, is set to begin shortly despite objections from some local residents. The project, acquired by Danish investment company Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners from WindLab, involves installing 68 wind turbines and a 100-megawatt battery system across an area of 148 hectares, ABC News Australia reports.
Residents’ concerns
About 84 people live in the Mount Fox area near the town of Ingham. The nearest turbine will be located approximately five kilometres from the boundary of the Wet Tropics World Heritage site.
Resident Kim Armstrong, who founded the Keep Mount Fox Wild community group, voiced concerns about the possible impact of the 140-metre turbines on biodiversity, human health and the environment. She also mentioned possible water runoff into the Great Barrier Reef and raised questions about the fate of the equipment after the 35-year operating cycle ends.
According to Armstrong, opponents of the project include about half of the settlement’s residents. She said that despite consultations, regulatory approvals and the company’s completion of the required procedures, the fight against construction would continue.
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Investment and renewable energy targets
CIP project chief executive Mark Branson said that Gawara Baya meets strict government requirements and underwent a thorough environmental assessment. According to him, the company also consulted with the community, local businesses and councils. About 500 jobs are planned during construction, with most workers to live in a dedicated camp at the site.
The wind farm became the first project to reach the construction stage under the federal Capacity Investment Scheme. It is intended to help Australia achieve an 82% share of renewable energy by 2030: the state guarantees an electricity price, compensating the producer when prices fall and receiving part of the profit if they rise above a specified level.
Alison Reeve, director of the climate and energy program at the Grattan Institute, called the project an important signal for the industry, which is waiting for construction to begin on new wind projects, including on the country’s east coast. Hinchinbrook Council deputy mayor and chamber of commerce president Mary Brown said the project could create opportunities for local businesses and diversify the region’s economy, where approximately one in three jobs in Ingham is linked to the sugar industry.
