Chalumbin Wind Farm proposal adjacent to World Heritage–protected rainforests draws traditional owners’ ire 

There are concerns the Chalumbin development will impact the area’s natural heritage values.(Supplied: Steve Nowakowski, RRA)

A group of traditional owners is taking its fight to Canberra in a last-ditch effort to stop a controversial $1 billion wind farm from being built adjacent to World Heritage-protected rainforests in Far North Queensland.

The South Korean–owned Ark Energy proposal for an area near Ravenshoe, west of Cairns, has the backing of the Wabubadda Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) and is waiting for the final tick of approval from federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

The 86-turbine project to be built across two pastoral properties has been significantly scaled back from the original 200 turbines in an effort to appease conservationists and some traditional owners.

The group said it remained deeply concerned about the clearing of 1,000 hectares of land to allow road access for the enormous turbines, some more than 250 metres high.

Jirrbal woman Melita Asaki, whose family has lived in the area for generations, said a group of traditional owners was preparing to descend on Parliament House this month to raise its concerns with Ms Plibersek.

“We want to make sure our voices are heard,” Ms Asaki said.

“We don’t want any turbines. We don’t want the land destroyed. We want to hunt and to take our children swimming.”

Rainforest Reserves Australia (RRA) president Carolyn Emms, who is assisting the delegation, said the Chalumbin development would mean 70-metre-wide access roads would be pushed through the area.

“This is the greatest greenwash of our time,” Ms Emms said.

“No-one is talking about biodiversity and the loss of species that comes with these industrial developments.

“If people were truly sincere about climate change you would keep the trees in the ground, protect the biodiversity of the area, and turn the area into a national park.

“This is not a wasteland.”

Ms Emms said the project would further threaten several vulnerable species in the area including the northern greater glider, the magnificent brood frog, the spectacled flying fox, and the red goshawk.

Chalumbin is not the only wind farm planned for the area.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest is hoping to build the Upper Burdekin Wind Farm inland from Ingham.

Last year, the French-owned Kaban Green Power Hub opened near Ravenshoe, its 28-turbines spread across 1,300 hectares.

Windfarm review ‘too late’

The Queensland government approved the Chalumbin Wind Farm development in 2022.

On Wednesday it announced it was conducting a review of the regulatory framework for wind farms, or State Code 23, to “build greater community and industry confidence in clean energy projects”, according to a statement.

The proposed changes, which aim to better protect areas of high ecological and biodiversity value, are open for public consultation until September 4.

The Atherton Tablelands region is already home to several wind farms including at Mount Emerald near Walkamin.(Supplied: Steve Nowakowski, RRA)

Ark Energy said the project would deliver significant benefits and contribute to the Queensland and federal governments’ renewable energy targets.

It said the Wabubadda Aboriginal Corporation had signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement on behalf of the Jirrbal people for the Chalumbin Wind Farm.

It said the project was 50 per cent less than the original size and that “80 per cent of clearing involves common vegetation classified as ‘least concern'”.

WAC comes under the Cairns-based North Queensland Land Council.

A spokesperson was not available for interview, but in a statement WAC said the confidential land use agreement “includes mechanisms for protecting and preserving Jirrbal people’s cultural heritage, and also has environmental protections”.

The Windy Hill wind farm near Ravenshoe is one of several wind farms already operating in the area. (ABC News)

Ms Asaki said the WAC did not represent all Indigenous people in the affected area.

“They haven’t been out there and I don’t know who these people are,” she said.

The ABC has contacted Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek for comment.

A decision is expected to be handed down in September.

If approved, construction is due to start later this year.