Project hopes to power up
THE developer of a wind farm planned for the Tablelands is hoping to start construction within the next few months after changing the project to protect a rare frog.
French company Neoen is working through environmental approvals with the Federal Government for a Green Power Hub, proposed for Kaban, about 6km northeast of Ravenshoe.
The $300 million alternative energy project, which has state development approval, is to include 29 wind turbines, a substation, battery storage, access tracks and cabling to generate and store energy supply for the national electricity market.
Documents lodged with the Department of Environment show that during the project’s environmental assessment process, “significant” populations of critically endangered mint bush (Prostanthera clotteniana) and magnificent brood frog (Pseudophryne covacevichae) had been identified at the project site.
The company has proposed to protect habitat for the threatened species by refining the disturbance footprint of the project to about 129ha of natural environment, a reduction of 43ha.
The new area of the project will now include 102ha of remnant vegetation.
The company also plans to reduce further habitat loss through “careful planning and detailed design of access tracks, cabling and waterway crossings, where surface infrastructure will be micro-sited within the allowance permitted by the Development Approval permit.”
A Neoen spokeswoman confirmed the project was still on track.
“The project is shortlisted as part of the Renewables 400 (r400) process for an energy offtake,” she said.
“The R400 winner is due to be announced in Q1, with construction beginning immediately after, if the bid is successful.”
She said the first phase of construction would include the wind farm, with secondary stages to include the remainder of the proposed site.
The wind farm, if approved by the Federal Government, would be the third on the Tablelands, alongside Ratch Australia’s mega-wind farm at Mt Emerald and the Windy Hill farm near Ravenshoe.
Ratch has also proposed a fourth wind farm for the region, an 18-turbine project in the Evelyn area, about 10km north of Ravenshoe.
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