Newsroom

January 10, 2025

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter has cautiously welcomed the news of the Prairie Wind Farm gaining EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) approval, noting that its progress and alignment with North Queensland’s CopperString 2.0 will carry with it growth and ongoing investment with the mid-west communities.

He said that while his primary goal was to keep coal fired power in Australia, he understood the strategic importance this particular project had to CopperString and the Hughenden community.

Windlab, the developer behind the Prairie Wind Farm, has told Mr Katter’s office that the EPBC approval was a major milestone for the North Queensland and that situated in the Flinders Shire, project will power one in every six Queensland homes.

“It cannot be over emphasised that existing coal fired power stations must be kept in the mix but the Prairie Wind Farm’s location in Hughenden is a better example of how renewable energy projects should be done but we’ve seen plans for wind farms on the coast and in the wet tropics, and it’s nothing short of madness,” he said.

“These are areas of incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, and they should not be turned into industrial wastelands. North Queensland has no shortage of remote, wind-rich locations like Hughenden that are far better suited for this kind of development.

“The area’s remote location and high, consistent wind speeds make it a far more suitable site for a wind farm. This is exactly the kind of investment that is enabled by CopperString, which will unlock North Queensland’s vast mining and energy resources and position north Queensland as a powerhouse for Australia.”

Mr Katter praised the Flinders Shire Council for their advocacy to ensure the Windlab development brings with it the economic and social infrastructure to support the growth of the whole region.

“The Council has done a wonderful job working with Windlab to ensure the project fosters growth in the region and we throw our full support behind them in their pursuit to see improvements to road, housing and services in the town as part of the project’s influence.”

Mr Katter also said he supported Flinders Shire Council’s push for a Community Benefit Royalty Framework.

“This framework will ensure that communities impacted by CopperString and the projects connected to it receive an additional, consistent source of revenue,” Mr Katter said.

“It’s vital that local governments and communities are engaged in decision-making processes and that investors understand the importance of sharing the benefits of these developments. This approach will help strengthen the towns and regions that are driving Australia’s energy future.”

The CopperString 2.0 project, a 1,100-kilometre transmission line linking Mount Isa to the national electricity grid, will provide the infrastructure needed to harness the region’s renewable energy resources, including wind and solar farms. Mr. Katter reiterated his strong support for the project, which he says will transform the region’s economy.

“CopperString is the largest infrastructure spend ever committed to in this state outside of Brisbane, and its successful delivery is essential to providing for the future of all of regional Queensland,” Mr Katter said.

“David Crisafulli has promised over and over again he’s building CopperString but Powerlink needs to get moving, the world is waiting for Powerlink.

“It will connect these renewable energy projects to the national grid, ensuring reliable and affordable power for our industries and communities.

“Hughenden is setting the gold standard, and it’s a model we should follow moving forward, be it energy projects, mining or dams.”