Community ignored over Chalumbin Windfarm concerns
KENNEDY MP, Bob Katter, says Far North Queenslanders should be giving it to the State Government for allowing corporations, some foreign-owned, to build windfarms beside the world heritage rainforests and jungles of the region.
The company behind the Chalumbin windfarm proposal refused to speak to a group of Ravenshoe residents yesterday, instead seeking one-on-one conversations.
Bob Katter said it was a ‘very smart move’ and labelled the people doing the promotions as ‘very smarmy people’.
“We are a bunch of mugs for not giving it to the Queensland government,” he said.
“They’ve cut down more trees than any State Government in Australia and they’re doing it to deliver intermittent, super expensive power.”
Mr Katter said the proposed Chalumbin Windfarm would threaten maybe the greatest proliferation of birdlife on earth as it will be constructed beside world heritage rainforests and jungle in Far North Queensland.
“Other marsupials will also be wiped out as 100-metre-wide service roads will be constructed,” he said.
“Every North Queenslander must answer these questions: do you want your natural wonderland turned into an industrial wasteland? Building windfarms beside jungle from west of Ingham to west of Cairns will be disastrous.[1]
“Do you want an intermittent power supply? If the wind’s not blowing your TV and air con will go off. All of these wind farms proposed from west of Ingham to west of Cairns (1200 MW at 30 percent reliability) will produce the same amount of energy each year as Queensland’s smallest coal power station at Tarong North (443 MW of base load power). So, why are we clearing this important habitat and land for no gain?
“Do you want the most expensive electricity on earth? Existing coal-fired power cost $25 a MWh, and the Finkel Report says it costs $90 a MWh hour for solar and for wind.[2]
“These projects will provide a quick sugar hit for the local economy but there will be few ongoing jobs. It’s a poor deal. If we allow these windfarms to be constructed, then we will be betraying our grandchildren and their children.
“I am not against all windfarms. At Hughenden you can build one at 1000 metres above sea level, where there are no trees or abundant bird life. The wind there is also far more reliable. It’s a great idea there.”
Bob Katter has invited Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, to meet with Ravenshoe residents about the windfarms, and her office has indicated that she is planning to come.
Minister Ley can block the Chalumbin Windfarm through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
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