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.
Comments