Locals in regional Queensland divided on benefits of renewable energy project

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Debate is flaring in regional Queensland where renewable energy companies are promising to rejuvenate struggling towns and their economies.  Landholders are being enticed by the prospect of new revenue, but some aren't convinced renewables are the way forward.

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00:00Didcot, in Queensland's North Burnett, is cattle country and the site of the future

00:08Stoney Creek Wind Farm.

00:10Approximately 100,000 houses will be capable of being powered by this wind farm.

00:16Kerry Farrell's family has run cattle here for more than 100 years.

00:21She's one of seven landholders who have signed up to lease their properties.

00:26We're excited that what this could do for our community with the community fund and

00:31with the employment opportunities with the project.

00:34There's hope too in nearby Bigondon where shops sit empty and the population has dwindled.

00:40We've had the butcher shop closed down, we've had the bakery closed down, we've had the

00:45National Bank go.

00:47Yet while Greenleaf Energy is promising 180 jobs during construction, it's earmarked just

00:54five ongoing positions.

00:56We see large infrastructure projects like this, if they're delivered correctly and if

01:02people work together they can add a substantial amount of local benefit.

01:06If these energy companies are suggesting that they are going to foster economic prosperity

01:12to small communities, that is nothing more than a mistruth.

01:18Here in Bigondon, locals agree the town has been struggling but they're divided as to

01:23whether a wind farm development is the way forward.

01:28Where's the power going to go, where's it going to come out?

01:31We don't know do we?

01:32It won't give the jobs to locals.

01:34The project is required to provide alternative habitat for endangered animals like the greater

01:40glider, flying foxes and koalas.

01:43For this particular project, the koala has a potential to occur.

01:48So it hasn't been found on site but it has a potential to occur.

01:52The wind farm is one of 64 underway in Queensland as the state seeks a 50% renewables target

01:59by 2030.

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