Benefits of farm power in

COMMUNITY groups and schools within 50km of the Mt Emerald Wind Farm under construction on the Tablelands are set to benefit by $200,000 a year for the life of the project.

The details will be revealed on the final day of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia Queensland branch conference for North Queensland at the Hilton Cairns hotel today by Ratch Australia community engagement manager Kim Forde.

IPWEAQ is the peak body representing the public works sector in Queensland.

Ms Forde is part of the community consultation committee for Mt Emerald Wind Farm set up to promote local feedback and ensure the project’s long-term success.

She said in most situations a contract would be set up to pay the landowners a fee for use of the site but, in Mt Emerald’s case, that money would go to the community.

“The money is going to be split into two, $100,000 will go into education and $100,000 will go into community groups,” Ms Forde said.

“The grant will last for a minimum 25 years as long as the wind farm is operating.”

About 140 delegates from local and state government, private sector consulting engineers and contractors have explored ideas for sustainability at the two-day conference.