Frequently Asked Questions

The project

  • The Project will deliver significant benefits to the region and local communities:

    - creating approximately 300 new jobs during construction

    - creating approximately 16 local long-term jobs to operate the wind farm

    - encouraging investment in the Darling Downs region

  • We are planning on using Vestas V162 6.2 MW Turbines. These turbines will have a maximum blade tip height of approximately 250 metres.
    The turbine type utilised may change as we conduct further studies. If the turbine type changes we will inform stakeholders and update any development approval submissions as required.

  • The Harvest Wind Farm project will work in partnership with the local community and the local council to design a Community Benefit Agreement that delivers tangible and positive results to those impacted. This fund is intended to last for the life of the project. Further details will be provided as the project develops.

  • Harvest Wind Farm will be assessed by the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) against State Code 23: Wind farm development, which outlines requirements for environmental impacts, community consultation, workforce accommodation, and decommissioning.

Project construction

  • Construction and operation will require a range of skills, such as:

    • engineering

    • trade (electrical, mechanical, construction)

    • transport

    • building material providers

    • equipment operators

    • consultants

    • project management

    • administration.

  • We understand that water is an important issue for the Darling Downs. During construction, water will be required for concrete batching and potentially for dust suppression. We will source water from local supplies, subject to availability and within the constraints of the development consent for the Project.

  • We will investigate the local roads and identify the most suitable transport route to the Project site. Engagement with local councils, stakeholders and the wider community will influence the route chosen, and the Project will use major roads to access the site when possible. The Project team will determine a final route after consultation with Goondiwindi and Toowoomba Regional Councils, and Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland to identify any required upgrades.

Project operations

  • At this early stage of the project, we are planning on using Vestas V162 6.2 MW Turbines. These turbines will have a maximum blade tip height of approximately 250m. The turbine type utilised may change as conduct further studies; If the turbine type changes we will inform stakeholders and update any development approval submissions as required.

  • The project is exploring multiple options to connect to the existing 330KVA transmission line that runs north/south from Bulli Creek Substation down to the NSW border.

  • Wind turbines generate sound; however, people can generally maintain a conversation at the turbine's base without raising their voices. The wind speed and direction, topography, vegetation and distance from the turbine will impact where you can hear the turbines from.

    Noise levels from the wind turbines will be within the strict QLD State guidelines. As part of the development process, noise monitoring and impact assessment for the Harvest Wind Farm project will be undertaken to ensure the operational noise at neighbouring dwellings complies with the relevant noise criteria specified in the State guidelines. Noise will also be monitored during operations to ensure the actual operational noise does not exceed the relevant noise criteria.

Project decommissioning

  • Decommissioning is the responsibility of the wind farm owner and a condition of the wind farm lease and will be an obligation under the project development consent.

    At the end of its operational life, the wind farm will be decommissioned in accordance with the planning framework requirements. All development applications for a wind farm in QLD must have a decommissioning plan.

  • At the end of the project life, the wind farm owner will be fully responsible for plant decommissioning, including removing the wind farm infrastructure and rehabilitating the site in compliance with the conditions of development consent.

    Decommissioning of wind farm infrastructure at the end of project life will be a legal condition of the development consent. In addition, contracts with landowners also require that wind turbines and other infrastructure are removed at the end of the lease term.

    We will establish a trust to fund decommissioning (there will be no cost impact to the farmer or government).

  • Currently, Vestas wind turbines are 88% recyclable. Vestas aims to achieve 100% recyclable turbines by 2030, ensuring materials can be reused in new turbines or similar applications.