The residents and wind farm on the frontline of Australia's energy wars
Gawara Baya is the largest wind farm to reach construction since Labor introduced a renewables investment scheme. More than 2,000km north of Canberra, residents say net zero is a dream ruining their home.
In the heart of Australia's energy transition, a battle is brewing between residents and a massive wind farm set to begin construction near the ancient Mount Fox in north Queensland. The Gawara Baya wind farm, comprising 68 turbines and a 100-megawatt battery, is being built on 148 hectares of land and will be operational within the next two years. Danish investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) acquired the project from WindLab earlier this month, securing the necessary funding for an immediate start.
The development is hailed as a significant milestone in meeting the federal government's 2030 renewables goal. The small community of 84 residents surrounding the site is deeply concerned about the potential impact on their way of life, the nearby World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics, and the Great Barrier Reef. Resident Kim Armstrong expresses her apprehension about the effects on biodiversity, human and environmental health, and the eventual fate of the turbines after their 35-year lifespan.
Armstrong founded the community group Keep Mount Fox Wild, which represents the majority of the town's population. Despite the community's concerns, CIP project CEO Mark Branson assures that the project adheres to strict government regulations. He highlights the rigorous environmental assessment, community consultation, and engagement with local businesses and councils as evidence of the project's legitimacy.
Branson believes that the Gawara Baya wind farm is paving the way for future wind projects to replace aging coal assets and provide stable electricity supply for the nation.
Grattan Institute's climate and energy program director Alison Reeve sees the Gawara Baya project as a breakthrough, signaling the beginning of a pipeline for new wind projects across the east coast. The scheme that backs the project guarantees a price for electricity, subsidizing producers when electricity prices fall and sharing in profits when prices rise above a certain threshold. The Gawara Baya project is the first wind farm to enter construction under this scheme, which aims to achieve 82% renewables by 2030.
Despite the positive outlook, the fight is far from over for the residents of Mount Fox. They are determined to halt the construction of the wind farm, claiming it would irreparably damage their land and heritage.
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