November 11, 2018
Australia

Proposed wind farm threat to rare frog

Daniel Bateman | Townsville Bulletin | www.townsvillebulletin.com.au

A rare species of frog only found near Queensland’s highest town could be wiped out by a multimillion-dollar wind farm project.

The Federal Government is currently assessing French company Neoen’s “Green Power Hub” project, proposed at Kaban, about 6km northeast of Ravenshoe.

The $ 300 million project – which has state development approval – will include 29 wind turbines, a substation, and a battery storage unit, which is to be one of the largest gridscale batteries in the world.

Documents lodged with the Department of Environment and Energy, however, show the site chosen for the project could have “significant impact” on the threatened magnificent brood frog.

The frog is only found in a small area near Ravenshoe, with all records of the species found above 800m altitude.

Consultants Aecom, which carried out an environmental survey of the planned wind farm, stated the project could lead to a long- term decrease in the size of the magnificent brood frog population, and adversely affect habitat critical to survival of the species.

“The species is highly endemic and is only known to occur at 22 discrete sites with 36 populations over an area 27km by 9km,” the report’s authors wrote.

“The loss of habitat and potential sedimentation of seeps and drainage lines may lead to a long- term decrease in the size of this population.”

Three other threatened species were also found at the site, including the greater glider, the ghost bat, and the spectacled flying fox.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2018/11/11/proposed-wind-farm-threat-to-rare-frog/