Two fresh wind farm proposals in Queensland are getting the community treatment, with a public consultation period kicking off to let locals have their say. The Marmadua Energy Park, 23km east of Tara, and the Middle Creek Energy Hub, 15km south of Wandoan, are now under the microscope, with residents and stakeholders invited to weigh in over the next 40 business days.
The Marmadua project’s eyeing 110 turbines across 11,000 hectares, while Middle Creek’s got plans for 183 turbines stretching over 28,000 hectares. Both are big undertakings, and the consultation—running until 19 May 2025—aims to figure out if they stack up for the state’s needs. It’s a chance for anyone affected to flag what works or what doesn’t, from land use to local impacts.
This move levels the playing field, bringing wind farm approvals in line with other major projects like mining. In the past, these kinds of developments didn’t always get a proper public airing, but now the process is locked in, giving communities a fair go at shaping what happens in their backyard.
The feedback window’s not just for locals—councils and other groups can chuck in their two cents too. Once it wraps up, all the input will help decide whether these wind farms get the green light or need a rethink. It’s about striking a balance between tapping into renewable energy and keeping regional areas in the loop.
For Queenslanders living near these sites, it’s a shot at making sure their patch isn’t steamrolled by turbines without a say. With the clock ticking, the consultation’s open for business, and the outcome could set the tone for how big energy projects roll out down the track.