Comment YES this is a controlled action here.

Proponent: WESTWIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD (Based in VIC)

Where: NORTH QLD, approximately 45 kilometres (km) south of Hughenden, within the Flinders Shire Regional Council Local Government Area of Queensland.

Project: The Project consists of up to 200 Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs), a Battery Energy Storage System, a potential Construction Worker’s Accommodation Camp, and ancillary infrastructure, including, but not limited to, access tracks, underground cabling and overhead transmission lines, electrical connection substations, hardstand and laydown area, and operation and maintenance facilities.

Scale: The Project is being developed across a Study Area of 33,320 hectares (ha), including six freehold lots, one land lease lot and road parcels, on largely unimproved land predominately used for agricultural grazing, with the Project infrastructure occupying a Disturbance Footprint of 1,268.9 ha.

FLORA AND FAUNA

A total of 96 native flora species, including 36 families, were identified during the desktop review or during the field survey period within the Study Area. The families with the greatest diversity recorded were Poaceae (25 species), Fabaceae (13 species) and Lamiaceae (11 species). There is one listed flora species that is assessed as known to occur within the Study Area: Pink gidgee (Acacia crombiei).
A total of 119 bird species (42 families), 24 mammal species (including 13 microbat species further detailed below) (11 families), seven reptile species (five families) and four amphibian species (two families) have the potential to occur within the Study Area during either the desktop review, or field survey program. Following field surveys, one threatened fauna species is considered as known to occur within the Study Area:
Squatter pigeon (southern) (Geophaps scripta scripta).
Based on field surveys and likelihood of occurrence assessment, one threatened fauna species is
considered likely to occur and four fauna species have the potential to occur in the Study Area
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) – Likely to occur;
Grey falcon (Falco hypoleucos) – Potential to occur;
Julia creek dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi) – Potential to occur;
Painted honeyeater (Grantiella picta) – Potential to occur;
Red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus) – Potential to occur; and
Fork-tailed swift (Apus pacificus) – Potential to occur.
A total of 13 microbat species were either confirmed ‘definite’, ‘probable’ or ‘possible’ within the Study Area based on data collected from Anabat detectors during field surveys. All bats identified on the site were expected to be present within the region. No threatened species have been recorded within the Study Area.

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
The Project is likely to have a direct impact via clearing of 209.9 ha of koala habitat, comprising 42.5 ha of foraging and breeding habitat in the form of eucalypt woodlands and 167.4 ha of dispersal habitat that contains shelter trees. Removal of 42.5 ha of foraging and breeding habitat is likely to represent a significant impact to habitat critical to the survival of the species.

Julia-creek dunnart (Sminthopsis douglasi)
The Project is likely to have a direct impact via clearing of 437.5 ha of habitat for the Julia-creek dunnart. The habitat mapping for this species within the Study Area includes all areas of Mitchell Grass BHT as potential habitat

Pink gidgee (Acacia crombiei)
A total of 160.6 ha of habitat within the Study Area is likely to be directly impacted via clearing. Potential habitat for the species has been mapped in the MNES Impact Assessment Report.The clearing of 160.6 ha of habitat is considered unlikely to represent a significant impact.

Squatter pigeon (southern) (Geophaps scripta scripta)
The total amount of habitat for this species to be cleared and directly impacted is 45.4 ha of breeding habitat and 11.0 ha of foraging and dispersal habitat. This is considered unlikely to represent a significant impact to habitat critical to the survival of the species. The collision risk assessment has found that the Project imposes a negligible risk to the species.

Grey Falcon (Falco hypoleucos)
The total amount of habitat for this species to be cleared and directly impacted is 33.0 ha. Habitat mapped within the Study Area for the species is not expected to constitute habitat critical to the survival of the species, as the species has not been observed within the Study Area and utilises a broad range of habitat types.

Painted honeyeater (Grantiella picta)
The total amount of habitat for this species to be cleared and directly impacted is 33.0 ha of potentially mapped habitat. This is considered unlikely to trigger a significant impact for the species as this species is not known to breed within this area of Queensland.

Red goshawk (Erythrotriochis radiatus)
The total amount of habitat for this species to be cleared and directly impacted is 33.0 ha of potentially mapped habitat. This is considered unlikely to trigger a significant impact for the species. Habitat mapped within the Study Area has only been identified as ‘potential’ habitat and is not considered habitat critical to the survival of the species. The collision risk assessment has found that the Project imposes a moderate risk to the species, however as this is a dispersive species that occupy a large home range and the habitat in the Study Area is considered low quality, it is unlikely to result in a significant impact to the species.

Fork-tailed swift (Apus pacificus)
The species is almost exclusively aerial and may occur over the entire Study Area. Impacts to the species are considered unlikely. The Project is unlikely to incur a significant impact due to the species ability to utilise the surrounding area. The collision risk assessment has found that the Project imposes a moderate risk to the species, however this is unlikely to result in a significant impact as it is unlikely to disrupt the lifecycle behaviour of the species.

Comment Yes this is a controlled action here.

Where: SOUTH EAST QLD, 10km east of Wandoan in the Western Downs, Queensland

Project:up to 183 wind turbines generating up to 1,317MW, a battery energy storage
system (BESS) of 200MW/hr and ancillary infrastructure such as a substation.
The Project is located in the Western Downs Regional Council Local Government Area. The Project traverses 36 lots (involving 8 landholders) and a number of adjoining road reserves.

Scale: total Project Area is 28,418.41 ha (associated within the boundary of
the properties, including road reserves and watercourses where crossings occur) and the Disturbance Footprint of the proposed Project is 1,456.02 ha.

Gas being mined here: The Site is also subject to previous coal seam gas exploration and current development. A number of production wells and associated infrastructure are hosted in the northern extent of the Site. An underground gas pipeline traverses the centre of the Project Area in a north-south direction

FLORA AND FAUNA

Through field surveys and further assessment, six threatened fauna species are considered known to occur, including:
Painted honeyeater (Grantiella picta) (Vulnerable); A single painted honeyeater was heard during survey efforts undertaken in November 2024.
White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) (Vulnerable, Migratory);A flock of approximately 80 white- throated needletail was observed at a single location in the northern part of the Project area in November 2023. Nine flocks of different sizes were observed at four locations in the Project area in November 2024. The largest flock of
approximately 220 white-throated needletail was observed in the southeastern part of the Project area and eight smaller flocks of between 3 and 60 white-throated needletail were observed at three locations in the northern part of the Project area.n addition to being identified within the Project area during the 2023 survey program, several historical records of the white-throated needletail have been recorded in the region surrounding the Project (including adjacent to the Project within the Barakula State Forest), suggesting that a local population utilises the
available habitat within the Project area.
Greater Glider (southern and central) (Petauroides volans) (Endangered); Several greater gliders were observed within the Project area during the 2023 and 2024 survey programs, along Roche Creek and Weringa Creek. Project is stated to pose a significant impact to this species. Attexo does not factor in infrasound impacts to greater gliders.
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) (Endangered); Koalas and evidence of koalas (scratches) have been recorded during surveys, in riparian vegetation associated with Roche Creek (along the northern boundary), Weringa Creek (on the western boundary) and a tributary of Downfall Creek (in the south of the site).In addition to historical records of the koala being identified within the Project area, a koala was observed during the 2023 survey program along Roche Creek.These records suggest that a population of koalas does use habitat within the Project area, and particularly the vegetation along Roche Creek, to disperse between patches of suitable habitat within Barakula State Forest and other areas of suitable habitat downstream. Project may critically impact survival of the species onsite.
Short-beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) (listed under the State’s Nature Conservation Act asSpecial Least Concern); and
Boggomoss Snail (Adclarkia dawsonensis) Critically Endangered Targeted survey efforts (discussed further in Section 3.2.4.10 ) confirmed the presence of A. dawsonensis within the Project area.)This species has been confirmed from one location along Twenty Mile Creek (a tributary to Roche Creek, near the northern boundary of the site. The boggomoss snail was previously thought to be restricted to alluvial flats and riparian environments between Mt Rose and south of Theodore (DoE, 2024c), however targeted surveys for this species undertaken by the Project have extended its distribution south into tributaries of Roche Creek and Juandah Creek, located to the north and east of Wandoan, QLD. It is considered possible that the Project will have a significant impact on the boggomoss snail. The Project will implement threat abatement in areas where the Disturbance Footprint intersects boggomoss snail habitat, including control of weeds and pests which are known threats to the species.

The following two TECs were also identified as requiring further consideration in the ecological assessment process and are likely to be impacted by the Project due to their potential presence in the Project’s swept path areas:
Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and codominant) TEC (Endangered); and
Poplar Box Grassy Woodland on Alluvial Plain TEC (Endangered).

Habitat to be lost for each threatened species:

1. White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus): 1,456.02 ha of foraging habitat

2. Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus): 10.31 ha of suitable breeding and foraging habitat, and 1,428.03 ha of suitable dispersal habitat .

3. Greater Glider (southern and central) (Petauroides volans): 16.12 ha of suitable habitat (2.4 per cent of habitat available in the Project Area).

4. Boggomoss Snail (Adclarkia dawnsonensis): 0.34 ha of suitable habitat (0.38 per cent of habitat available in the Project Area) [1].

5. Painted honeyeater (Grantiella pica): Less than 0.01 ha of suitable habitat

6. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla dominant and codominant): 0.2 ha of potential TEC (0.2 per cent of that found within the Project Area).

7. Poplar Box Grassy Woodland on Alluvial Plains: 0.8 ha of potential TEC (1.3 per cent of that found within the Project Area)

It has been determined that the proposed action will have a potential significant impact on the following threatened species:
Koala (10.31 ha of breeding and foraging habitat)
Greater glider (16.12 ha of suitable habitat)
Brigalow TEC (0.2 ha)
Poplar Box TEC (0.8 ha)

Please make comment YES it’s a controlled action here.

Where:  CENTRAL QLD. The Calvale to Calliope River Transmission Line Reinforcement Project (the Proposed Action), extends from 10 kilometres (km) east of Biloela to 2 km north of Clinton, near Gladstone, Queensland

Purpose: the Proposed Action is to reinforce electricity supply to the Gladstone region and increase network capacity and reliability to service the growing renewable energy industry in this area. In turn, the Proposed Action will support heavy industry to decarbonise and transition to clean energy and ensures renewable energy to flow into the wider Gladstone region.
The Project will allow for up to 1,800 megawatts (MW) of renewable hosting capacity in the region and increase network capacity and reliability to service the growing renewable energy industry in this area.

Scale: Project area: 14318.44 Ha, disturbance Footprint: 335.67 Ha

IMPACTS

Ha of clearing or loss of the threatened flora species:
Yarwun whitewood (Atalaya collina) – 0.6 ha of mapped potential habitat.
Coolabah bertya (Bertya opponens) – 69.4 ha of mapped potential habitat.
Cossinia Australiana – 3.1 ha of mapped potential habitat.
Cycas megacarpa – 65.4 ha consisting of: 34.0 ha known (confirmed) habitat (inclusive of up to 343 individuals)and 31.4 ha known (suspected) habitat.
Polianthion minutiflorum – 12.6 ha of mapped potential habitat.
Quassia (Samadera bidwillii) – 100.4 ha of mapped potential habitat.
Other potential direct impacts to threatened flora species listed above include fragmentation and degradation, edge effects, soil erosion, dust generation, introduction and exacerbation of introduced flora species and increased intensity and frequency of fires.

Clearing or loss of suitable habitat for the following threatened fauna species :
Squatter pigeon (southern) (Geophaps scripta scripta) – 323.5 ha of modelled habitat consisting of 6.7 ha of potential breeding habitat, 0.3 ha of potential foraging habitat and 316.5 ha of potential dispersal habitat.
Painted Honeyeater (Grantiella picta) – 41.6 ha of potential foraging habitat.
White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) – 122.8 ha of habitat consisting of 22.3 ha of roosting and foraging habitat and 100.5 of foraging and dispersal habitat.
Australian Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis) – 4.9 ha of seasonal breeding, foraging and dispersal habitat.
Black-breasted Button-quail (Turnix melanogaster) – 3.1 ha of nesting and foraging habitat.
Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) – 77.6 ha of modelled habitat consisting of 41.8 ha of potential roosting and foraging habitat and 35.8 of foraging and dispersal habitat.
Greater Glider (southern and central) (Petauroides volans) – 121.2 ha of habitat consisting of 81.7 ha of likely or current denning habitat and 39.5 ha of potential or future denning habitat.
Yellow-bellied Glider (south-eastern) (Petaurus australis australis) – 77 ha of denning, foraging and dispersal habitat.
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) – 321.5 ha of modelled habitat consisting of 114.5 ha of breeding, foraging and dispersal habitat, 10.8 ha of potential climate refugia habitat and 196.2 ha of dispersal only habitat.
Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) – 127.4 ha of habitat consisting of 33.9 ha of denning and refuge habitat and 93.5 ha of foraging and dispersal habitat.
Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) – 335 ha of seasonal foraging and dispersal habitat.
Collared Delma (Delma torquata) – 14.9 ha of potential breeding and foraging habitat

The Proposed Action has the potential or is likely to result in a significant impact on the following threatened flora and fauna species and TECs:

1. Semi-evergreen Vine Thickets of the Brigalow Belt (North and South) and Nandewar Bioregions (SEVT TEC)

2. Subtropical Eucalypt floodplain forest and woodland of the NSW North Coast and Southeast QLD bioregions(Eucalypt Floodplain Forest TEC)

3. Cycas megacarpa.

4. Greater glider (southern and central) (Petauroides volans)

5. Yellow-bellied glider (south-eastern) (Petaurus australis australis)

6. Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)

7. Collared delma (Delma torquat

COMMENTS OPEN UNTIL 20/01/2025

Comment YES this is a controlled action here.

Where: SOUTH EAST QLD, 23km east of Tara and 41km south-west of Dalby in the Western Downs Regional Council local government area in Queensland.

Project: The Project includes a wind farm of up to 110 wind turbines generating up to 792MW, a battery energy storage system (BESS) of 200MW/hr and ancillary infrastructure such as a substation. 

Scale: The Project is located in the Western Downs Regional Council Local Government Area. The Project traverses 17 lots (involving four landholders) and a number of adjoining road reserves which will provide access to the Project. The total Project Area is 11,168.36ha (associated within the boundary of the properties, including road reserves and watercourses where crossings occur) and the Disturbance Footprint of the proposed Project is 905.4ha.

The Project Area is predominately characterised by unnamed tributaries. The western portion of the site drains directly into the Moonie River and several of its tributaries before flowing in a west-southwest direction. The eastern portion of the Project area drains into several tributaries of Moramby Creek and Clayhole Creek which flow in a north-easterly direction. Moramby Creek and Clayhole Creek flow into Wilkie Creek which eventually flows into the Condamine River approximately 42 km downstream of the Project.

Coal seam gas has been mined here

FLORA AND FAUNA

Through field surveys and further assessment, five fauna species are considered known to occur, including:
Diamond firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) (Vulnerable);The diamond firetail was recorded within the Project area during the February 2024 field survey. Recent observations of this species (ALA, 2021) have also been recorded in the Kumbarilla State Forest which is contiguous with the southern portion of the site. These records indicate that a local population is present within
the Project area. The Diamond Firetail has declined over its entire range over the past 30 years due to the loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat (Myers 1987). Much of the Diamond Firetail’s habitat has been cleared and what remains is highly fragmented and degraded due to the increase in edge effects, grazing by domestic stock and rabbits, and the removal of firewood (Garnett and Crowley 2000). The remaining Diamond Firetail populations are small and isolated, and have no means of breeding with other populations, which has already resulted in the local extinction of some populations in Victoria (SAC 2000).
Southern whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis) (Vulnerable); Although locally common and currently listed on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable, atlas records of southern whiteface have declined by 43% in recent years. The suitability of habitat for ground-foraging woodland species, such as the southern whiteface, is thought to depend on the variety of available ground substrates. As many types of ground cover are vulnerable to disturbance from fire (leaf litter, fallen branches), grazing (grass, herbs) and introduction of exotic plant species (open ground), the management of existing habitat has important conservation implications for this species. Understory disturbance by grazing and clearance of habitat for agriculture are currently listed as the main threats to southern whiteface. However, some studies suggest that mining operations may also impact negatively on the species, although the exact cause for their decline (e.g. habitat degradation, noise disturbance, exposure to pollutants) in mining areas is unknown.
White-throated needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) (Vulnerable, Migratory, Marine);
Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) (listed under the State’s Nature Conservation Act as Special Least Concern); and
Golden-tailed gecko (Strophurus taenicauda) (listed as Near-threatened under the State’s Nature
Conservation Act).
Although species individuals were not recorded during the survey effort, the following species are considered likely to occur due to presence of suitable habitat:
Fork-tailed swift (Apus pacificus) (Marine, Migratory);
Painted honeyeater (Grantiella picta) (Vulnerable);
South-eastern glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami sensu lato) (Vulnerable);
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) (Endangered); and
Yellow-bellied glider (south-eastern) (Petaurus australis australis) (Vulnerable)

Habitat lost for project:

Diamond Firetail: 339.05ha of vegetated habitat and 853.72ha of predominantly cleared habitat.
Painted Honeyeater: 2.89ha of suitable habitat .
South-eastern Glossy Black-cockatoo: 23.84ha of suitable foraging habitat.
Southern Whiteface: 47.02ha of suitable habitat .
White Throated NeedleTail: 905.4ha of foraging habitat
Koala: 42.37ha of breeding and foraging habitat and 861.53ha of dispersal habitat
Yellow Belly Glider: 11.84 ha of suitable habitat
Brigalow Woodland Snail: 0.82ha of potential habitat
Belson’s Panic: 40.65ha of suitable habitat
Poplar Box TEC: 0.88ha of TEC (0.98% of that found within the Project Area)

Comments open until 20/01/2025

https://www.energyandclimate.qld.gov.au/energy/community/community-feedback-on-the-energy-transformation