Forest Wind wind farm

Forest Wind wind farm South East Qld

Proponent: Forest Wind Holdings Pty Ltd (Forest Wind)

Project: 226 wind turbines plus infrastructure. The Project will be located within an existing operational exotic pine plantation in the Toolara, Tuan and Neerdie State Forests.

Wind turbines will be 160 metres high.

Scale: Project Area (PLA) total area - 67,131 ha, Project footprint (excludes existing access tracks) - Up to 500 ha.

A High Voltage Transmission Line will be required to be designed and constructed within the OTC to transfer the generated electricity from Forest Wind to an existing Powerlink Queensland (Powerlink) substation located at Woolooga to the west of Gympie, which will be the transmission point of connection to the National Electricity Market.

EPBC Documentation found here:

Threatened species that inhabit the site:

Koalas observed in native habitat interspersed between pine colonies.

A Grey-Headed Flying Fox (Vulnerable) colony lives only 5km away.

The Southern white throated snapping turtle, critically Endangered, high chance of occurring.

The Mary River Turtle, Endangered, high chance of occurring.

The Wallum Sedge Frog has a moderate chance of occurring.

Giant Barred Frog has a high chance of occurring.

Threatened Flora onsite:

Acacia attenuata, Vulnerable, high potential to occur.

Fontania rostrata, Vulnerable, high potential to occur.

Concerns:

This extremely large wind development is in close proximity to the Great Sandy Strait that is a destination for migratory species. “Each year millions of migrant shorebird species travel along routes known as flyways. At least 20,000 birds from 20 species migrate from as far as Siberia and rest and feed on the Great Sandy Strait's mangrove-lined flats between September and April each year. They need to feed and rest undisturbed before their marathon return journey. Repeated disturbances use up their energy reserves, much needed for their flight onwards” states Desi’s website.

The impacts of wind turbines upon bats, raptors and other birdlife is well known. A colony of Grey Headed Flying Foxes has been documented at 5km away and the Forest Wind wind farm may pose a significant threat to them. Grey Headed Flying Foxes may fly many kilometres from roost site to feed, some round trips are about 30 km (see Wildlife Preservation Society for more info).

The proposed Forest Wind wind farm sets a precedent for State Forests to become potential sites for renewable energy developments. State Forests, including Pine plantations, provide much needed sanctuary to native wildlife. They are also public assets and shouldn’t be handed over to multinational energy corporations for use. Does this precedent pave the way for National Parks to also be re-purposed as sites for renewable developments?