The Project
Project Summary
Mount Rainbow Wind Farm is located 35 km north-east of Biloela and 65km west of Gladstone in Central Queensland.
Mount Rainbow Wind Farm’s location was chosen for its good wind speeds, proximity to transmission lines, accessibility and our ability to achieve the project goals with minimal environmental and community impacts.
The project infrastructure will use a small portion of the total site area of approximately 6,700 ha. This means the project will have a minimal impact to farming on the land, currently used for cattle grazing. The project infrastructure will be located prioritising the previously cleared areas and existing farm tracks.
The Mount Rainbow Wind Farm project will supply to the National Electricity Market (NEM) through generating electricity with wind power. Key features include:
Wind turbines
With associated hardstands and access roads.
Production of up to 315MW of wind power.
Substation
An electrical substation and switching station.
Cable reticulation
Overhead and underground electrical cable reticulation to connect the turbines to the substation.
Met Masts
Meteorological masts for measuring wind speed and other climatic conditions.
O&M building
Operations and maintenance building with associated car parking.
Temporary construction facilities
Including a construction compound, borrow pit and concrete batching plant facilities.
Wind Farm Timeline
Site Selection & Feasibility
(18-24 mths)
Land identification
Constraints analysis and landowner mapping
Wind speed measurements
Initial non-intrusive site investigations, concept design and energy yields
Engagement with Traditional Owners and community reps
Construction & commissioning (24-36 mths)
Construction of roads, hardstands, substation, grid,
Turbines and other project infrastructure as required
Site managed by local operators
Agricultural operations continue adjacent to the wind farm
Operations
(25-30 yrs)
Annual rental payments
Site managed by local operators
Agricultural operations continue adjacent to the wind farm
Decommissioning (12 mths)
Development & DA Approval (24-36 mths)
Detailed site investigation work carried out
Environmental Impact Assessment prepared
Local community and key stakeholders consulted
Planning application submitted
Grid Connection Studies
(12-24 mths)
Analysis of connection options
Detailed design of substation and connection arrangement
Connection studies and assessment by AEMO and network provider
Financing & Procurement
(12 mths)
Sign all contracts required to build the wind farm
Secure financing for the project
Discharge planning conditions
Detailed on-site geo-technical investigation
Approvals
There are two ‘primary’ approval pathways for this project. There are also a series of ‘secondary’ approvals and permits such as for geotechnical investigations, batch plants and road permits:
Approval Pathway 1
We will be seeking planning approval for the wind farm and its associated infrastructure from the Queensland State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) under State Code 16 (Native vegetation clearing), State Code 23 (Wind farm development) & the Planning Act 2016.
State Code 23 applies to a change of use for a new wind farm. It is intended to protect individuals, communities and the environment from adverse impacts as a result of the construction, operation and decommissioning of wind farm development.
The website will be regularly updated as we progress through these key milestones for the Project.
Approval Pathway 2
We will also be referring the project to the Development of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for review under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
To read more about the EPBC process please check out the website here:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) - DCCEEW