Wind farms generate significant benefits for local and regional communities.

Ark Energy is a signatory to the Clean Energy Council’s Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Projects, a voluntary commitment to engage respectfully with communities, be sensitive to environmental and cultural values, and make a positive contribution to the regions in which we operate. We also recognise the importance of earning social licence for our projects, defined as a "level of acceptance or approval continually granted to an organisation's operations or project by the local community" (Boutilier and Thomson).

We look forward to working with the communities of Ravenshoe, Millstream, Innot Hot Springs, and the wider Tablelands region to deliver meaningful and lasting local benefits from the project.

The proposal involves a Community Benefit Program (CBP) with an industry-leading commitment of $500,000 a year from the start of construction and for the life of the wind farm. The CBP is intended to:

• Share a generous allocation of the project benefits with the local community.
• Make a meaningful contribution to issues the community cares about.
• Be flexible to focus on changing priorities over time.
• Make the project a positive, rewarding and beneficial development for the local community.
• Advance community connectedness and inclusivity.

The CBP will be co-designed with community members and local stakeholders to ensure it serves local needs and priorities.

Ark Energy recognises the continuing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have to their land and advocates engagement with Traditional Owners that supports self-determination in caring for Country and economic opportunities.

The Wooroora Station Wind Farm project area is Jirrbal Peoples country and the project works closely with representatives of the Traditional Owners for the project area, the Wabubadda Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (Wabubadda) and Applicants to the Jirrbal #4 Native Title claim.

Engagement has focused on identifying, protecting and managing cultural heritage on the site and ensuring the Traditional Owners can benefit from the project in meaningful ways.

A Cultural Heritage Management Agreement was signed in October 2020 and an Indigenous Land Use Agreement including a suite of financial, employment and training benefits was signed in May 2022.

Hear how passionate the Traditional Owners are about the project here.

Wooroora Station Wind Farm's Community Advisory Group provides a forum for collaborative discussion between the project team and community representatives. Aims of the group include to ensure local residents and stakeholders are:

• Kept informed of the status of the project
• Consulted on plans and proposed changes
• Able to provide feedback on any issues that may arise

The group is chaired by Malanda-based Dr Geraldine McGuire.

The current volunteer members are:

• Dinah Venitis, community member
• Rick Allen, community member
• Mel Pope, community member
• Benno Janzen, community member
• Judith O'Shea, community member
• Liam Roberts, stakeholder representative for the Traditional Owners
• Marita Budden, stakeholder representative for the Traditional Owners
• Cr Annette Haydon, stakeholder representative for Tablelands Regional Council

The project's local information hub is at 55 Grigg St, Ravenshoe. It is open weekly, usually on Thursday mornings and also by appointment. For any queries about opening times please call 1800 731 296.

To sign up for email newsletters register here. To receive newsletters by mail please email the project team with your name, postal address and a request to be added to the mailing list.

Input from community members and stakeholders is welcome and valued. Drop in to the information hub at 55 Grigg St Ravenshoe, email to the project team or complete an online feedback form. Local community information sessions will be held at the information hub at key points in the development process. Details will be advertised in local papers and newsletters.