The Federal Government has approved Windlab’s 400MW Gawara Baya wind farm, formerly known as the Upper Burdekin wind farm.

Located 65km south-west of Ingham, the project will see the installation of 69 wind turbines.

The project is expected to increase wind generation in the National Electricity Market by 5.2 per cent, and overall renewable generation by 1.8 per cent.

Windlab chief executive officer John Martin said the Gawara Baya development would inject more than $200 million into North Queensland’s economy.

“Achieving the approval milestone allows us to progress financial close, which will unlock major regional employment, supply and contracting opportunities and our 35-year, $200,000 annual Community Benefit Fund before the end of 2024,” he said. 

Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said projects like this were vital to boosting renewables capacity and putting downward pressure on prices, but they were also great for local jobs and economies. 

The Gawara Baya project is expected to support up to 300 direct jobs in construction and up to 20 operational ongoing jobs.

“I’ve ticked off a record 54 renewable energy projects – more than the Abbott and Turnbull governments combined and enough to power more than three million Australian homes,” Ms Plibersek said. 

“While Peter Dutton and the Coalition are watering down our climate targets, Labor is getting on with the job of the renewable energy transition.

“Not only are we delivering cheaper, cleaner power sooner, but we are on track to reaching our 2030 emissions target. It’s achievable, and we’re doing it.”

She said the approval of the wind farm was subject to conditions to protect the Sharman’s rock-wallaby and northern greater glider, and followed a rigorous assessment process. 

The conditions include clearance limits, hours of operation during construction, and submission of environmental management plans, which will set out how any impacts will be managed, mitigated, avoided or offset.