Queensland Rejects $1B Wind Farm Project

On May 26, 2025, the Queensland government officially cancelled the $1 billion Moonlight Range Wind Farm project near Rockhampton. Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie exercised his ministerial powers to “call in” and reject the development application, citing overwhelming community opposition and environmental concerns. The project, proposed by Greenleaf Renewables, included 88 wind turbines and a battery energy storage system, aiming to generate 450 megawatts of power—enough to supply over 260,000 homes. Despite receiving initial approval in December 2024, a subsequent 40-day public consultation period revealed that 85% of over 550 submissions opposed the project, raising issues such as strain on local infrastructure, inadequate community consultation, and potential environmental impacts.