The proposed Chalumbin WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT

Chalumbin Wind Farm Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Epuron Projects PTY LTD, plans to build a wind farm of 95 wind turbine generators, [revised Dec 2021 to 94 turbines] located across two properties Glen Gordon and Wooroona station. This development is located approximately 15kms SW of Ravenshoe, on the Tablelands, far north QLD, Australia.

Epuron's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act referral makes a significant contradiction regarding the projects proximity to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA). This requires further investigation. 

Section 2.1 of  tthe EPBC Act referral states ‘The Project area is located adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area… The nearest proposed project infrastructure is approximately 500m from the edge of the WTWHA boundary.’ (^1) Section 3.8 states ‘The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (WTWHA) is adjacent to, and partially within the Project area’. (^2)
 

The declared project footprint of this project as per EPBC Act referral covers 3089.46 acres or 1,250.26ha. (That is the area of land directly under threat if this project is approved).
 

The development involves:

*95 wind turbines up to 160m tall, with blades up to 90m long. [Revised to 94 Dec 2021]

*Estimated 146km of access tracks with watercourse crossings.

*Land clearing width for track development 60-100m (70m average).

*Medium voltage overhead & underground power lines.

*High voltage power lines with 40m wide corridor.

*3 permanent wind monitoring masts.

*2 concrete batching plants

*Construction compound. (^3)
 

Epuron plans to commence this project in late 2022.

Just 10-15 full time jobs will be generated during operation. This is stated as being 10 technicians, project manager, admin and support. (^4)
 

The project threatens the following endangered or vulnerable native species:

*Northern Greater Glider (Petauroides volans minor)

*Red Goshawk (Erthrotriorchis radiatus)

*Magnificent Brood Frog (Pseudophryne covacevichae).

In total 200 species of vertebrates were recorded during surveys on the sites including 18 amphibians, 115 birds, 14 bats, 23 mammals & 30 reptiles. (^5)

Remnant vegetation accounts for the vast majority (95%) of the Project area and was generally observed to be in good condition. (^6)
 

Four broad habitat types occur in the project area:

*Eucalypt woodland

https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/factsheets/wtmaVMWTB23a-48b.pdf

*Rocky pavement shrub complex

https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/factsheets/wtmaVMWTB66a-66h.pdf

*Riparian zones 

https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/factsheets/wtmaVMWTB62a-62e.pdf

*Notophyll Vine Forest https://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/factsheets/wtmaVMWTB6a13d.pdf

Epuron's 'proposed environmental outcomes to be achieved' by the project:

"Despite the avoidance, minimisation and mitigation measures..., the project is anticipated to have a significant residual impact on the greater glider, the red goshawk and the magnificent brood-frog." (^7)

On the 8th December 2021, Epuron released a statement claiming they had revised the total number of turbines down - by just one, and had reduced the total development land area to 2797 acres. ^8

^1. EPBC Act referral 2021/8983 Chalumbin Wind Farm (section 2.1)

^2. EPBC Act referral 2021/8983 Chalumbin Wind Farm (section 3.8).

^3. MNES Assessment Report Chalumbin Wind Farm Project 22/06/21 (Section 3.3).

^4. EPBC Act referral 2021/8983 Chalumbin Wind Farm (section 1.2)

^5. EPBC Act referral 2021/8983 Chalumbin Wind Farm (section 3.1)

^6. EPBC Act referral 2021/8983 Chalumbin Wind Farm (section 3.7)

^7. EPBC Act referral 2021/8983 Chalumbin Wind Farm (section 4.2).

^8 Epuron website update 8th Dec 2021