Community Engagement Amid Windfarm Controversy    

On March 4th Alinta Energy hosted a pop-up office at Proserpine community centre to conduct dialogue with local community surrounding the proposed Mt Challenger Wind Farm.

The proposal involves two separate project locations at Mt Challenger and Crystal Brook/Kelsey Creek with plans for up to 30 industrial wind turbines, each reaching approximately 240 metres in height.

Several of the proposed turbine locations are close to existing rural homes and properties, with some situated within 1.5 kilometres of residences and less than 9 kilometres from Proserpine.

Alinta Energy held the session to share information and hear concerns and opinions from the community.

“We’re committed to making a positive impact in communities to create social, economic, employment, educational, and environmental opportunities and outcomes.” The company states.

“Our benefit sharing approach is all about listening to the community to meet local needs. This could include grants, sponsorships, or opportunities for education and skills development. The project is expected to bring a range of benefits, including jobs across construction, operations, and decommissioning phases; upgrades to essential services like roads and emergency response; and contributions to initiatives led by the community itself.”

Resources provided highlighted proposals to erect a temporary ‘met mast’, a steel structure up to 160m high that would monitor wind and gather data to help determine whether the project is viable.

Locals aired their concerns surrounding the wind farm’s proximity to the town and its theoretical impact on wildlife, also raising worries about bore water and recycling the turbines once their lifecycles are complete. Alinta representatives listened and took detailed notes.

The visit follows recent discussions between protest group, the Whitsunday Wind Farm Action Group, and Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, last week.

“I was pleased to meet with the Whitsunday Wind Farm Action Group earlier this week at Kelsey Creek near Proserpine regarding the proposed Mt. Challenger Wind Farm.” Andrew Willcox said.

“This project includes two turbine locations of prime agricultural land and rural communities at Mt Challenger and Kelsey Creek. The community hall was filled with emotion and genuine concern. This meeting provided a vital opportunity to hear directly from retirees, farmers, small business owners, and families who feel their voices are being ignored.

“Our regional communities are being asked to carry the risk for these projects while the proponents often dismiss the local impact. The message from the room was clear: the current consultation process feels like a box-ticking exercise, and the community has had enough.

“I’ve got a comprehensive list of the key questions and concerns raised during our Q&A session, which I will be taking directly to Alinta when I meet with them in Canberra next week.

Our region deserves transparency, fairness, and respect. I will continue to fight to ensure that regional Queensland is no longer the sacrificial lamb for city-centric energy policies.”

1- Andrew Willcox meets with wind farm protesters to hear their thoughts. Photo credit: Facebook

2 – Proserpine local Cathryn Radclyffe came along to air her concerns and provide feedback to the energy company. Photo credit: Suzanna Mcloughlin

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