Latest Tuan wind farm timeline proves why renewable projects need to be impact assessable
Eight years since the government started secret talks about the Tuan Forest Wind Farm and those impacted must face more years of anxiousness.
Last month I asked the Minister whether planning and assessment approvals had been completed, the timeline including public consultation to complete the project, and whether the transmission corridor is finalised. See the answer to my question here.
It follows on from my question last year when we learned that Federal Environmental Assessments would be completed in late 2024. View here.
A year later it’s been pushed out to 2026.
The proponent of the wind farm must provide more information to the Australian Government, and it is still negotiating with landholders about a 65-kilometre transmission corridor.
The length of time it is taking, the timelines, and delays prove the community needs to be given more say in what goes on in their backyards.
The LNP will change the State Planning Act to immediately prevent renewable projects being built on good quality agricultural land. It will mandate that all future applications for renewables projects will be impact assessable. By doing this it will provide an opportunity for lawful objections to be lodged by anyone who is affected and ensure that the full rigour of the law is applied.
People are justifiably sceptical about Government claims about timelines, costs, the power generated, job creation, and the cost to their power bill.
That is why the LNP voted against the Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill in April. See my speech here.
Eight years ago, in 2016, the government started secret consultations on the wind farm project.
It said nothing to the community until six days before Christmas in 2019. Consultation was conducted under Covid-19 restrictions over the summer holidays and there was short notice for community meetings.
When four days were still left to comment on the developer’s EPBC Act submission, Parliament was told the Wind farm project “marked the successful completion of the detailed assessment stage……”
Gympie residents know about the EPBC Act – that is why the Traveston Dam failed.
When asked last June about assessments and timeline including public consultation and completion date the Premier Miles said the project was still “dependent on the outcome of environment and social assessments which are due for completion in late 2024.”
Now we are told it will be 2026.
That makes it seven years after the public first learned about it and 10 after the government first started its secret meetings.
The project will erect 226 large windmill turbine structures in an area with a current plantation licence – a plantation licence which was sold in an asset sale by the Bligh Labor Government to HQ Plantations in 2010 for $603 million.
Those turbines will be clearly visible from the Great Sandy Straits.
One hamper at a time
The Beach and Bay Community Pantry has been a lifeline for locals doing it tough at Cooloola Cove, Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach. The team has packed over 3,000 hampers since 2021and has recently launched a Thursday breakfast service for students at Tin Can Bay P-10 State School. For just $10 locals receive hampers worth $80 filled with items from Foodbank Queensland, local bakeries and supermarkets. Ronnie and the team of volunteers behind the pantry are a true blessing to our community.
Gympie QCWA celebrates its centenary
A massive happy 100th birthday to Gympie QCWA. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our local community. The Gympie branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association is one of the oldest and longest serving in the state. The CWA has been the true social network of the bush and the way it connects and uplifts women, families, and the Gympie community. With my wife Michele, we look forward to celebrating more birthdays with the team in the years to come.
Clara and Verna – long serving QCWA members
QCWA President Wendy Flickwert
QCWA Celebrating 100 years – Gympie
Masked Ball to help our Veterans
Almost 200 people turned out for this year’s Gympie RSL Veterans Masked Ball. The Ball was held to raise much needed funds to help veterans experiencing homelessness.
It’s success is a wonderful testament to the value that Gympie residents place on the service given by our defence personnel over so many years. I am proud of the generosity of our residents and how much they value our veterans.
Michele Perrett and Adele Amin – Vice President Gympie RSL
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LNP Shadow Minister for Roads, Steve Minnikin inspected the road as part of his annual trip travelling the length of the Bruce Highway. He said it’s not good enough to keep patching the road and that the money spent on redoing the road could have been better spent fixing other problems.
Five years of repairs and millions spent on a 5km stretch of the Bruce Highway
The latest work on the notorious section of the Bruce Highway at Chatsworth is a prime example of the State Labor Government’s incompetence, lack of planning, proper management, and the appalling example of waste of taxpayers’ dollars.
The continuous failures to do the job properly are appalling. It has never been done properly.
In 2019 the Government spent $17.75 million on an upgrade. Six months later it had to be dug up and repaired again.
There has been a litany of band aid solutions over the years. The road has deteriorated under good weather conditions and under harsh conditions.
By the end of 2021 there was a permanent and complete failure of the road pavement where cars were swerving to avoid potholes.
The wheel ruts from heavy transport vehicles were clearly visible in long sections and there were more than a dozen sections which needed repairs.
In 2022 it was dug up for the third time for interim repairs, with pavement rehabilitations scheduled for the end of 2022. A year later in August 2023 they were working on it again.
Then in May we were told the Department of Transport and Main Roads will need four months to complete repairs to the pavement.
People are frustrated, drivers are frustrated, and locals are justifiably angry at the waste of taxpayer’s dollars.
Out and About
Christmas in July Glenwood
Gympie Cage Bird Club Annual Show
Gympie Eisteddfod
Gympie Poultry Club Annual Show
Gympie RSL Masked Ball
QCWA Gympie celebrating 100 years
Community Pantry Cooloola Cove
Curra Community Hall AGM
Glenwood Community Kitchen
Glenwood Mens Shed and She Shed
K & W Milling
Cooloola Coast Medical Transport
Tin Can Bay Coast Guard – QF17
Tin Can Bay Yacht Club and Sailability
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