The Project
Project Summary
The Mount Sugarloaf Wind Farm is located 15 km south east of Biloela and 85km west of Gladstone, in the Banana Shire council area, in Central Queensland.
The Mount Sugarloaf Wind Farm’s location was chosen for its good wind speeds, proximity to transmission lines, accessibility and our ability to achieve the project goals with minimal environmental and community impacts.
The project infrastructure would use only a minimal portion of the total site area. This means the project will have a minimal impact on farming, where all extents are currently used for cattle grazing. Proposed project infrastructure would prioritise locating within previously cleared areas and existing farm tracks.
The Mount Sugarloaf Wind Farm project will capture wind energy to supply renewable electricity to the National Electricity Market (NEM). Project infrastructure would include:
Wind turbines
With associated hardstands and access roads.
Up to 56 turbines, producing up to 252 MW of wind power.
Substation
An electrical substation and switching station.
Cable reticulation
Overhead and underground electrical cable reticulation to connect the turbines to the substation.
Met Masts
Meteorological masts for measuring wind speed and other climatic conditions.
O&M building
Operations and maintenance building with associated car parking.
Temporary construction facilities
Including a construction compound, borrow pit and concrete batching plant facilities.
Wind Farm Timeline
Site Selection & Feasibility
(18-24 mths)
Land identification
Constraints analysis and landowner mapping
Wind speed measurements
Initial non-intrusive site investigations, concept design and energy yields
Engagement with Traditional Owners and community reps
Construction & commissioning (24-36 mths)
Construction of roads, hardstands, substation, grid,
Turbines and other project infrastructure as required
Site managed by local operators
Agricultural operations continue adjacent to the wind farm
Operations
(25-30 yrs)
Annual rental payments
Site managed by local operators
Agricultural operations continue adjacent to the wind farm
Decommissioning (12 mths)
Development & DA Approval (24-36 mths)
Detailed site investigation work carried out
Environmental Impact Assessment prepared
Local community and key stakeholders consulted
Planning application submitted
Grid Connection Studies
(12-24 mths)
Analysis of connection options
Detailed design of substation and connection arrangement
Connection studies and assessment by AEMO and network provider
Financing & Procurement (12 mths)
Sign all contracts required to build the wind farm
Secure financing for the project
Discharge planning conditions
Detailed on-site geo-technical investigation
Approvals
There are two ‘primary’ approval pathways for this project that seek approval from Federal and State Governments.
There are also a series of ‘secondary’ approvals and permits common in construction projects, such as geotechnical investigations, batch plants and road permits.
Approval Pathway 1
As part of determining Project feasibility, we will seek development approval for the wind farm and its associated infrastructure from the Queensland Government, through the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) under State Code 16 (Native vegetation clearing), State Code 23 (Wind farm development) and the Planning Act 2016.
State Code 23 applies to a change of use for a new wind farm. It is intended to protect individuals, communities and the environment from adverse impacts as a result of the construction, operation and decommissioning of wind farm development.
A wide range of studies will be conducted as part of the development approval and to determine anticipated impacts of the wind farm, including visual assessments, noise assessments, property valuation assessments, Cultural Heritage assessment, amongst many others.
Approval Pathway 2
As part of understanding and minimising the environmental impact of the Project, we will refer the project to the Federal Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for review under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
A thorough assessment of environmental impacts will go into this referral, supported by several years of ecological surveys along with a range of other assessments.
Summary of DA reports and key issues
During development, we will be conducting various studies and surveys as well as developing management plans to help understand and plan for project impacts.
Landscape and visual assessment
Noise monitoring
Flora and fauna
Aviation assessment
Shadow flicker
Electromagnetic interference
Traffic and access, construction management
Footprint and turbine layout
Commitments to regional benefits plan
Detailed project timeline
Property values impact assessment
Surface water, conceptual erosion and sediment control
Cultural heritage
Social impact assessment
Engagement plan