Australian state Queensland's Liberal National Party (LNP) government has cancelled the proposed 450MW Moonlight Range wind farm, following a majority of public submissions supporting the rejection.
The government received over 550 submissions, 142 from local residents, with 85pc supporting a review of the project's application, according to a press statement from deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie released today.
The project — located northwest of Rockhampton — included 88 wind turbines, a battery energy storage system and the clearing of 434 hectares of vegetation. Developer Greenleaf Renewables expected the project to start construction by 2026.
Moonlight Range was originally approved by the State Assessment Referral Agency in December last year.
But the new LNP Queensland government vowed to tighten regulations for wind power in January this year, ensuring that local communities must be consulted on new wind farm developments. This resulted in wind projects being delayed, allowing for the consultation period.
The previous Queensland government passed the Clean Economy Jobs Bill in April 2024, which includes a 75pc emissions reduction target by 2035 and net zero by 2050. The new government will provide a Net Zero Roadmap and Energy plan by 31 December.
Brisbane-based environmental lobby Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) is urging the government to accelerate its planning for the renewable energy sector. But the state LNP government has vowed to keep coal-fired power stations. Black coal-fired power contributed 64.2pc of the state's energy demand in 2024, according to Australian platform Open Electricity.
