Bowen Residents Voice Concern On Wind Farm Proposal

Wind Farm Action Group protesting on Flagstaff Hill. Photo supplied: Wind Farm Action Group.  

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The Mount Challenger Wind Farm project is continuing to spark discussion, continuing to recieve push back from Bowen residents for its proximity to the town.

In July, Alinta Energy has officially pulled plans to build wind turbines across the southern zone of its proposed Mt Challenger Wind Farm project, marking a major turning point for the Proserpine community after nine months of intense advocacy. 

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Following six months of LIDAR wind monitoring in the southern area of the proposed project, Alinta Energy concluded that the wind resource in this area is not strong enough to support turbines, ultimately causing the cancellation of the plans. 

‍The northern portion of the site is still in feasibility stages. Located between Eden Lassie Creek and Greta Creek, the proposed wind farm site extends some 28 kilometres north to Bowen.  

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Residents have questioned what the development could mean for nearby homes, native bushland and the waterways flowing into Edgecumbe Bay, as well as its potential impact on coastal views from popular Bowen locations including Flagstaff Hill, Front Beach and Bowen Jetty.  

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Among those raising concerns is Longford Creek resident Sandra Mitchell, whose property sits between Eden Lassie and Greta creeks near the proposed northern section of the wind farm.

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Sandra and her family have lived on the property for more than 20 years, raising their children in a home surrounded by bushland and mountain views. She said the family shares a two-to-three-kilometre boundary with a neighbouring property near the proposed site, with turbines potentially positioned about 1.5 kilometres from her home. ‍

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Having followed the project’s progression from the beginning, Sandra and her husband, Nev, have remained active in raising awareness throughout the community.  

Following the withdrawal of the Crystal Brook and Kelsey Creek section, the pair believed many Bowen residents were unaware the project was continuing and distributed about 1,000 flyers ahead of Alinta Energy’s first drop-in session in the town.

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“A lot of people didn’t know about it, or they thought it had been cancelled when the southern section was withdrawn because it’s called Mt Challenger,” Sandra said.  

“Many thought it was out the Collinsville way, when it’s actually right here near the bay.”

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Alinta Energy said it welcomed the opportunity to hear directly from the Bowen community, with the questions and feedback received from the drop-in session set to inform its ongoing planning and engagement.

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However, Sandra and the community felt the single drop-in session did little to address their frustration, particularly as it ran from 10am to 2pm and was difficult for many working residents to attend.

“There was one drop-in information session in Bowen, running from 10am to 2pm, which meant many working residents could not attend,” she said.

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“Those who did attend appeared to have little or no prior knowledge of the proposal, with residents largely having to find information themselves and raise awareness through community networks.”

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The company acknowledged that awareness has varied across the region and described the Bowen session as an important step in explaining the remaining proposal and hearing from local residents.

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Further consultation is expected to continue through community sessions, while Alinta Energy said it would keep residents informed through its website, direct stakeholder engagement, project updates and advertising across traditional and social media, as theysaid they have done since the project was announced in October 2025.

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“If the Mt Challenger Wind Farm proceeds,” Alinta energy shared, “It will bring broader investment to the region through construction and operational jobs, local supply and procurement, potential road and infrastructure upgrades, environmental enhancement programs and ongoing support for community initiatives.”  

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“The project will also contribute to Queensland’s energy supply and electricity grid.”

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