Ahead of an imminent decision on the project by the Federal Government, a range of local stakeholders are voicing their support for the Wooroora Station Wind Farm in Far North Queensland.

“We are seeing growing community support for the Wooroora Station Wind Farm project. We’ve been hearing more and more from the Traditional Owners, local business people, community members and council about the benefits and opportunities they see in this project for the local area, and that they are keen for it to get underway," said Anthony Russo, General Manager Development Queensland.

Ark Energy has received letters and videos of support from organisations and individuals representing hundreds of people from the science, business and local communities, including the Jirrbal Traditional Owners, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Tablelands Regional Council and some of the region's largest employers.

The letters of support acknowledge the extensive consultation done by the project team, the significant changes to the design to reduce environmental impacts, the scale of the investment for the region and the meaningful benefits for the local community, especially First Nations peoples.

Letters of Support

• Letter of Support - Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC)
• Letter of Support - Tablelands Regional Council
• Letter of Support - Bradley Go-Sam, Jirrbal Elder and Traditional Owner
• Letter of Support - Mareshah Bowie, Jirrbal Traditional Owner and Chair, Wabubadda Aboriginal Corporation
• Letter of Support - Kidner Contracting
• Letter of Support - Tableland Traffic Services
• Letter of Support - Bonos Excavations
• Letter of Support - Kool Moon Motel

Video testimonials from council and business owners

• Deputy Mayor, Cr Kevin Cardew, Tablelands Regional Council
• Chris Dempsey, Dempsey Cranes & Construction
• John Kidner, Kidner Contracting, Ravenshoe
• Scott Whitson, W.W. Group
• Gavin Wright, Wright Project Services
• Blake Kidner, Kidner Contracting, Ravenshoe
• Cirsty Kidner Bonadio, Bono’s Excavations
• Elaine Durham, Owner, Kool Moon Motel

Video statements from Jirrbal Elders and Traditional Owners:

• Jirrbal Traditional Owners
• Bradley Go-Sam – at 1:00 min
• Betty Cashmere
• Vivienne Woods
• Jacqueline Shaw
• Lillian Freeman
• Darren Herbert
• Joe Brooks
• Ali Gillies
• Glen
• Joey Rassip

The mounting evidence of support challenges claims by a small group of vocal opponents that the local community is against the proposal and it will impact on nearby rainforest.

"We are heartened that more individuals and organisations have chosen to share their views and demonstrate the wide-ranging local support for the project. They understand the socio-economic benefits it will bring and the measures taken to reduce environmental impacts to exceptionally low levels, including a world-class nature positive plan involving First Nations Peoples," said Mr Russo.

“The fact is the site is a privately owned cattle grazing property with widespread feral pests and invasive weeds. The habitat is significantly degraded and the opportunity to improve it is huge. It is precisely because the land is next to the world heritage area that this opportunity is so compelling.

"The proposal has put forward a raft of commitments to improve habitat for key species on the site significantly over the longer term.

“The Jirrbal people have an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the project which includes caring for Country and having their people trained and employed to manage the land over the life of the wind farm. This includes leading integrated pest management and fire management programs that will remove feral predators affecting native wildlife and decrease fuel loads that pose a fire risk for the nearby rainforest.

“Benefits for the magnificent brood frog will be particularly significant. The survey work has progressed scientific knowledge for that species and the project avoids all known habitat while proposing to create 1,255 hectares of protected magnificent brood frog reserve vastly improving conservation efforts.

“This project will deliver clean energy alongside nature positive outcomes and significant benefits for the Traditional Owners and the local community. The nature positive commitments in this project really raise the bar and we are immensely proud of them. We’ve listened to the community, ecology experts, the government and the Jirrbal people, and taken all their feedback into account to put forward a proposal that doesn’t just meet their expectations, but can exceed them.

“We’re hoping for a positive outcome with the Federal Government’s decision, not just for Ark Energy, but for the Traditional Owners and people of Ravenshoe, who deserve a gold star green energy project to support future generations and show the rest of the country how combining renewable energy development with conservation efforts can be done.”