Moonlight Range wind complex

Moonlight Range wind complex, Central QLD, poses unacceptable impacts to the landscape’s unique biodiversity.

WE SAY Moonlight Range wind complex, Central QLD, poses unacceptable impacts to the landscape’s unique biodiversity.

We welcome the opportunity presented by Queensland’s Crisafulli Government to respond to the Call-In of Moonlight Range wind complex.

This development will cause harm to the biodiversity of Queensland’s threatened wildlife and destroy critical habitat for threatened species.

Sedimentation and pollutants may enter waterways and flow onto the Great Barrier Reef.

The proposed Moah Creek wind farm is in close proximity. The cumulative impact of two industrial-scale wind farms in a biodiverse area full of rich raptor and batlife is likely to be catastrophic for biodiversity.

Where: Located in Morinish South, about 40km west of the township of Rockhampton in Central Queensland in the Brigalow Belt bioregion.

What: The Moonlight Range Wind Farm is a vast industrial scale wind complex proposed across six farming properties, 40 kilometres west of Rockhampton. Abuts Morinish State Forest.

Project: 88 turbines and a BESS across 20,000 hectares land parcel.

Jobs: This vast wind complex will only create 10 permanent roles. Are they locally based and fulltime? Who knows.

Proponents: Greenleaf and Brookfield, a foreign multinational energy corporation.

Landscape: Moonlight Range wind farm site is mountainous, with rocky outcrops at higher altitudes and alluvial systems such as creeks, drainage lines and plains. 11,596 ha is remnant or regrowth woodland, forest, or dry rainforest. Areas within the eastern portion of the Project Area are in good condition and have connectivity with Morinish State Forest.

A huge swathe of habitat will be lost: The development will impact 1,263 ha of vegetation including the clearing of 434.1 ha of regulated vegetation across various categories.

Problematically, no thermal drones were used to detect arboreal wildlife.

Powerful Owls, White Throated Needltails, Yellow Bellied Gliders, Greater Gliders, Ghost Bats and Koalas all have the potential to inhabit on this massive site.

A total of eight raptor species were observed during the seven field surveys. These species were:

• Australian hobby

• Brown falcon

• Brown goshawk

• Pacific baza

• Peregrine falcon

• Nankeen kestrel

• Wedge-tailed eagle

• Whistling kite

Raptors and bats are prone to turbine strike.

According to preliminary documentation in the EPBC Portal:

Endangered Cycas Megacarpa, total impact of development of up to 894.1ha of habitat loss.

Powerful Owl, total impact of development may cause up to 1,101 ha habitat loss.

Endangered Greater Gliders may lose up to 483.7 ha of breeding and foraging habitat.

Vulnerable Squatter Pigeon (southern) will lose up to 1045.6 ha of habitat. During surveys they were seen on 15 separate occasions, with the largest flock numbering eight individuals.

Endangered Koalas will lose up to 917.8 ha of habitat.

Endangered Ghost Bats may lose up to 549.1 ha