Welcome to the North Queensland Super Hub (NQSH) newsletter - your go to for updates on the projects that make up NQSH, including Wongalee, Prairie and Prairie South, and how we are working to support initiatives that matter to locals.

Wongalee Development Application approved

We are pleased to share that the Wongalee Wind Farm has received State Development Approval — a major milestone bringing us closer to delivering one of Queensland’s largest renewable energy projects.

Wongalee will generate up to 1.4GW of clean energy, connecting into strategic transmission infrastructure and supporting the state’s decarbonisation goals. It will coexist with pastoral operations and deliver lasting economic and social benefits to the region.

This milestone could not have been achieved without the support of landholders, Traditional Owners and community, whose feedback continues to shape the project.

All proposed renewable energy developments in Queensland require distinct approvals from local, State and Federal Government authorities. The Wongalee EPBC public exhibition period will follow later this year.

Prairie receives EPBC approval

In January, we received approval of Prairie Wind Farm under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

This approval follows around four years of detailed design, over two years of environmental studies, and community consultation.

Prairie is set to create around 500 jobs and inject more than $400 million into regional Queensland through employment, supply, and contracting opportunities during construction.

Prairie South

Prairie South is a proposed renewable energy project currently in the early stages of development. To date, the project has undergone approximately two years of ecological assessments and wind resource monitoring to help inform its design and feasibility

Met-mast installs

One of the key steps in developing a wind farm is the installation of a meteorological mast—or met mast. We’re currently installing four met masts across Prairie and Wongalee, which will gather crucial meteorological data over several years. This data will help inform key decisions around turbine models and overall project design.

Each mast will collect detailed information including:

- Wind speed and direction at multiple heights

- Air temperature and pressure

- Humidity

- Turbulence intensity

- Vertical wind shear

This monitoring is vital to ensure each project’s long-term success. If you are a local pilot, please reach out to us to find out more about the locations of the met masts while under construction. One met mast near Wongalee has now been completed and is registered with AirServices Australia, however the remainder can only be registered upon completion, so in the meantime we want to make sure local operators are aware.

Upcoming events

Windlab staff representing several areas of the business will be attending events in the coming months. Come along and say hi, and ask any questions you have about NQSH.

Queensland Community Renewables Forum, 30 May

Hughenden Show, 1 – 2 June

Supporting local initiatives

Windlab is proud to sponsor the following recent and upcoming events that contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of the region:

- Kooroorinya Ladies Day

- Festival of Outback Skies

- Flinders Rural Ladies Bruncheon

- Kooroorinya Races

- Hughenden Show

- Prairie Races

Find out more

To get in touch with the project team, or to subscribe for regular updates, reach out to:

prairie@windlab.com

1800 862 080

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