State MP Amanda Camm Holds Public Forum To Discuss Mt Challenger Wind Farm Project

MP Amanda Camm met with community members this week to discuss the proposed Mt Challenger wind farm. Photo source: Facebook

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Member for the Whitsundays Amanda Camm met with locals at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on Friday 24^th April to provide an update in response to concerns over Alinta Energy’s proposed Mt Challenger Wind Farm.  

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The meeting attracted a passionate crowd, with Mayor Ry Collins also in attendance. To date there have been four community meetings held on the issue: two with Ms Camm, one with Federal Member Andrew Willcox and one broader community update session.  

The Mt Challenger Wind Farm is a proposed project by Alinta Energy that seeks to develop over 30 turbines between Bowen and Proserpine in the Whitsunday Regional Council Area.  

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The proposal has been met with backlash by members of the community, most prominently the Whitsunday Wind Farm Action Group.  

At Friday’s meeting, attendees raised concerns surrounding the objectivity of the Social Impact Assessment process. Also known as an SIA, the assessment is a mandatory stage of development to be conducted on large-scale energy projects under Queensland state law.  

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They also clarified that they want large-scale renewable energy projects like wind farms to be kept away from the coast and separate from homes with a minimum 3-kilometre setback from property boundaries. Several of the proposed turbine locations are currently planned close to existing rural homes, some situated within 1.5-kilometres of residences and less than 9-kilometres from Proserpine town centre. 

Another key theme discussed was the eventual decommissioning of the turbines, as the community are seeking clear assurances that the structures will be properly decommissioned at the end of their life, with the site returned to its original condition.

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The expected operating life of Alinta Energy’s turbines for this project is more than 30 years.  

Ms Camm assured community members that their concerns and opposition to the project had been acknowledged and the issue would be further escalated.  

“I want to give you all assurance that I am 100% against the project,” Ms Camm said.  

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It was also shared that Alinta’s 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, have now been put on ‘pause’.  

Ms Camm since highlighted the importance of the conversation.  
"Spending time with the community and hearing directly from residents is incredibly important,” she shared.  

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“There are clear processes that projects like this must go through, and my focus is on ensuring the community understands how to engage at each stage, while making sure their feedback is acknowledged and carried forward.

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“These conversations matter, and I will continue to support residents and ensure their voices are heard as each step of the process moves forward.”

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According to Alinta Energy, the program is currently at the feasibility and engagement stage, which includes site-specific investigations and feedback from the community.  

Such discussions took place at a pop-up office held by Alinta at Proserpine community centre on March 4^th, though any further decisions regarding the project have not yet been shared.  

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

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“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.”

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