Queensland’s newest wind farm pledges $9 million in payments to near neighbours

The newest wind farm to join the grid in Queensland is promising to make voluntary payments to near neighbours of the project totalling around $9 million over the life of the facility.

The Wambo wind farm is located near near Jandowae in the Western Downs regions and will grow to 86 turbines and a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) when completed. It began sending its first power to the grid in late May.

It is jointly owned by state-owned generation company Stanwell Corp and the privately owned Cubico Sustainable Investments, who have announced that they will make annual payments ranging from $7,500 to $37,500 to eligible neighbours during the operational phase of the wind farm.

The amount will depend on the number of operating turbines in proximity to the neighbouring property, but Stanwell CEO Michael O’Rourke says the scheme will deliver approximately $9 million in voluntary payments to neighbours over the life of the wind farm. 

It is part of a growing trend from developers and owners of wind projects, solar projects and even transmission links to offer annual payments and rewards to near neighbours.

See: Neighbours of pine forest wind project offered $9,500 a year to compensate for views

The payment structures vary from project to project and technology to technology, but there is now general recognition that local communities demand more than payments to only host landowners. Some projects are also promising lower electricity bills or rebates for people living within the local area.

“We believe that it’s not just the host landholders that should benefit from the financial investment the Wambo Wind Farm is bringing to their community, but neighbouring landholders as well,” Stanwell’s O’Rourke said.  

“This scheme reflects our strong commitment to ensuring that those who live near Wambo Wind Farm are acknowledged, valued, and directly benefit from the infrastructure in their neighbouring backyards.

“Wambo Wind Farm is about more than clean energy – it’s about building a long-term legacy in the community. 

“We’re proud to be delivering environmental and economic benefits hand in hand, and to be setting a standard for how renewable projects can work in partnership with their neighbours.” 

Wambo began generating from the first of its installed turbines in late May. Around 42 turbines are being erected in the first 252 MW stage of the project, with the second stage to double the project capacity.

However, the path for wind projects in Queensland under the new LNP government is clouded because of the decision by the planning minister Jarrod Bleijie to rip up the planning approval for two wind projects, and “call in” two other wind projects.

The government has also vowed to keep burning coal for decades and has signalled it will rip up and repeal the renewable energy targets legislated by the previous Labor government – 50 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2035.

The two wind and battery projects called in by the LNP – Middle Creek and Marmadua – are wholly owned by the London-based Cubico.

Its Australia country head David Smith says the Wambo neighbour benefit scheme is a clear example of how renewable energy projects can deliver shared value. 

“This initiative is in addition to Wambo’s significant contributions to the local area through council rates, host landholder agreements, community benefit fund and local sponsorships,” he said in a statement.

“It recognises the surrounding community’s role in hosting this important infrastructure and ensures that our neighbours share in the financial benefits of the project. “

The project owners say value of the payment made to eligible neighbours each year will be calculated according to the number of operating turbines located within 3km of the residence.

• $7,500 per turbine for the first two turbines,  
• $3,000 for each turbine thereafter up to 6 turbines, and  
• $1,500 for each turbine after that (7+).  
•  
• If an eligible neighbour owns land only within 1.5km of an operating turbine (and no residence), they would be eligible for a flat fixed sum of $7,500 per year.  

An eligible neighbour with four operating turbines within 3km of their residence would be eligible for (2 payments of $7,500 and 2 of $3000, or a total of $21,000 per annum.  

Wambo is also providing up to $200,000 per year is available through the project’s Community Benefit Fund to support local groups and organisations during both the construction and operational phases.  

Over $30,000 is also invested annually in sponsorships for local events and initiatives that contribute to making the region a great place to live, work and play.  It will provide approximately $5 million in direct financial contributions to the region per year. 

Want the latest clean energy news delivered straight to your inbox? Join more than 26,000 others and subscribe to our free daily newsletter.