FNQ windfarm set to support 200 construction jobs

Far North Queensland residents are the beneficiaries of a new $200 million wind farm that will generate enough power to supply more than 50,000 homes.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the approval for the Lakeland Wind Farm will bring significant investment to the region and is expected to create around 200 jobs during construction.

“The proposed development by Windlab Limited involves 30 wind turbines and ancillary infrastructure and will take almost a year to construct,” he said.

“The farm will produce around 100 megawatts of power for North Queensland, connected via the national electricity grid.

“Windlab have worked closely with my department and the local community to ensure that any impacts of the development on neighbours are mitigated.

“This includes bringing the original proposal from 35 turbines to 30 and ensuring the development operates within the conditions my department has set.”

Lakeland Wind Farm is located 8.5 kilometres north-west of the Lakeland township in Cook Shire.

The wind farm will operate for at least 25 years and generate enough power to supply more than 50,000 homes – similar to the number of households in Cook Shire, Mareeba Shire, Tablelands Region, and northern Cairns suburbs combined.

Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said ongoing private sector investment, like Windlab’s, was concrete endorsement of Queensland’s renewable energy policy.

“Our 50 per cent renewable energy generation target by 2030 has encouraged an unprecedented level of renewable energy investment in around two dozen large-scale projects that are currently financially committed to or under construction right across the state,” he said.

“When complete, these projects will more than double Queensland’s renewable energy output and produce enough electricity to power around 987,000 homes.”

Member for Cook Cynthia Lui said the project was a win for Far North residents, which she said would reap the benefits of such a project coming to life in their backyard.

“The approval of this project is a real coup for the Cape York Peninsula because we know this project means jobs and investment in our community, which will be a boost for our local economy and a win for jobseekers in the Lakeland area and surrounds,” she said.

“I’m proud to be a part of a government which is committed to growing the state’s uptake of renewable energy, so it’s great to see projects of this scale coming to life in the Far North knowing that they are playing a role towards Queensland achieving its 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030."

Windlab Chief Executive Officer Roger Price said “working with the community is always key for us; we are therefore particularly pleased that we found a solution that aligns neighbour plans, planning code and project requirements.”

Media contact: Anika Hume 0447 320 039