Cancelled $1 billion wind farm slammed as "highly political"
The decision by Queensland to block the Moonlight Range wind farm project, near Rockhampton, has been met with “extreme disappointment”, and the reasons have been “respectfully disagreed with.”
The LNP’s reversal on the $1 billion project has been described by the industry as “highly political,” and the reasons given have been deemed “hard to believe.”
The 450MW Moonlight Range wind farm has been blocked by Queensland planning minister Jarrod Bleijie following a “comprehensive reassessment” of the project approved in December.
The non-appealable decision is part of the LNP’s push to apply tougher, retrospective rules to renewable energy approvals.
The LNP plans to scrap Queensland’s renewable targets, keeping it Australia’s most coal-dependent state.
Bleijie claims the project didn’t meet new rules introduced this year, citing community objections.
However, the decision notice reveals only 142 of over 550 submissions came from locals—88% of them opposed—suggesting the LNP may have overstated the level of community opposition.
It is being questioned by the renewable energy industry whether the objections truly reflect local views or have been overstated.