New wind farm to power over 100,000 Queensland homes

Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water

The Federal Labor Government has approved a new wind farm in Queensland that will generate enough energy to power over 100,000 homes.

The Stony Creek Wind Farm is located 11km west of Biggenden, and will include wind turbine generators and a battery energy storage system.

This is another big step in the Government’s plan to make Australia a renewable energy superpower.

Australians saw how a decade of political fights stopped action on climate change. At the last election, they voted for an end to it. That’s exactly what Labor has delivered.

The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 585,000 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to taking around 160,000 cars off the road each year.

We know projects like this are vital to boosting renewables, but they are also great for local jobs and economies. This project will support up to 180 jobs while it is being built.

The project has been approved under Australia’s environment law after careful assessment of the environmental impacts. It is able to proceed with strict conditions to protect native animals like the greater glider and koala, and minimise impact on potential habitat for them.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“Years of political fights over climate change have cost Australia big time. It meant emissions were higher for longer. It put renewable energy projects years behind.

“We want to unlock Australia’s potential to be a world leader in renewable energy. It’s a huge task – we’re remaking our entire energy system.

“Our government has shown just how bright Australia’s future can be when there’s less political fighting and more action on climate change.”

/Public Release. View in full here.