{"id":351422,"date":"2024-07-31T18:57:13","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T08:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=351422"},"modified":"2024-08-05T17:52:27","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T07:52:27","slug":"major-step-forward-for-wind-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/07\/31\/major-step-forward-for-wind-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Step Forward For Wind Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FLASHBACK: RES Lead Project Manager Toby Coates at the site of the proposed wind farm near Ironpot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 31, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Tarong West Wind Farm project at Ironpot has taken a major step forward with the State Government’s approval of a Development Application for the project.<\/p>\n

On July 25, the State Assessment and Referral Agency approved the application by RES Australia Pty Ltd for a material change of use for the site, subject to several conditions.<\/p>\n

RES plans to build a 97-turbine wind farm producing 436.5MW about 30km west of Kingaroy which will become part of Stanwell Corporation’s renewable energy portfolio.<\/p>\n

The State Government will invest $776 million into the project.<\/p>\n

The site consists of about 19,000ha of predominantly cleared farmland used for grazing; the actual project will cover less than 2 per cent of this area.<\/p>\n

Conditions for the Development Application include the preparation of a vegetation and fauna management plan, as well as standard safeguards linked to aviation safety.<\/p>\n

Although the approval is a key milestone for the project, RES still has to gain a final tick from the Federal Government.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The company has drafted a Public Environment Report as part of this EPBC Act assessment.<\/p>\n

If the project receives this green light, RES hopes to begin construction late this year or early next year, with the wind farm becoming operational in early 2027.<\/p>\n

The Development Application approval will lapse if work on the project does not start within six years.<\/p>\n

RES plans to create a community benefit fund that would provide a stream of ongoing annual payments to properties neighbouring the wind farm once construction begins, and a second grants stream that would help support local community groups.<\/p>\n