Forest Wind Newsletter #4

3 June 2020

Welcome to the fourth Forest Wind newsletter

A lot has been happening on Forest Wind over the last month. This newsletter aims to keep you up-to-date and aware of some of the major initiatives underway.

ONLINE COMMUNITY CONSULTATION SESSION

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we have not been able to host face-to-face consultation events with community. It may be a couple more months before we can organise such events.

In the meantime, we are pleased to host an online Community Consultation Session.

DATE: SATURDAY 13 JUNE

TIME: 2:00pm - 3:30pm

WHERE: ONLINE USING ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCING

During the Session, the Forest Wind Project Team will provide an update on the Project’s development and also respond to the key areas of community interest and feedback we have received so far on the proposal.

If you would like to participate in the session, please complete the registration form in the link below. Please also add specific issues or questions you would like addressed at the session in the registration form.

Online Forest Wind Community Consultation Session REGISTRATION

We appreciate that not all community members will have the technology to participate in such an event. We will organise local in person events when restrictions allow and venues are back up and running.

REMINDER: Forest Wind Community Consultative Committee call for nominations

We propose to establish the Forest Wind Community Consultative Committee (FWCCC).

The purpose of the FWCCC will be to provide a forum for discussion between the Forest Wind Project Team and representatives of the community, First Nations People, stakeholder groups such as local businesses, resident groups and associations, environment groups and the local councils on issues directly relating to the Project.

Forest Wind is calling for nominations from local community representatives and representatives from local stakeholder groups to become a member of the FWCCC.

The FWCCC Terms of Reference and nomination forms can be downloaded from our website at www.forestwind.com.au/community-consultative-committee

Nominations close 5pm on 19 June 2020

Please get in touch via info@forestwind.com.au if you have any questions about the proposed committee or nomination and selection process.

Expressions of Interest from local businesses are now open!

Local businesses are invited to lodge an Expression of Interest to supply goods or services for Forest Wind via our Project Page on the ICN Gateway at https://forestwind.icn.org.au

A wide range of opportunities for local businesses are available, including accommodation providers, cleaning services, catering and food services, logistics and transport, quarry and cement products, cabling and electrical wholesalers, security services, water haulage, electrical and civil works and many more.

Local and Traditional Owner participation is an important objective for Forest Wind. Butchulla and Kabi Kabi businesses are encouraged to lodge an Expression of Interest.

Project update - Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020

We have been working with the Queensland Government through the Investment Facilitation Initiative to resolve a suitable tenure for the Project.

On 20 May 2020, the Hon Kate Jones MP, Minister for State Development, Tourism and Innovation, introduced the Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020 to the Queensland Parliament. On 21 May 2020, the Bill was transferred to the newly established State Development, Tourism, Innovation and Manufacturing Committee (the committee) for detailed consideration and report by 3 July 2020.

The Forest Wind project area is the subject of a current plantation licence. The Bill establishes a legislative framework for the project to coexist with the plantation licence and to otherwise be undertaken in the State forests through exempting the project from certain provisions in the Forestry Act 1959 and the Land Act 1994.

Further information on the Bill and the committee process, including submissions from the public, can be found here.

First Nations People

The developers of Forest Wind respectfully acknowledge the Butchulla First Nation and Kabi Kabi First Nation People of the land on which Forest Wind is proposed. We are consulting with the Butchulla and Kabi Kabi First Nation representatives on land use and we look forward to future partnerships through which employment and training, business development and contracting opportunities, cultural heritage protection and environmental management may be pursued.

Are you a Kabi Kabi or Butchulla business interested in work opportunities on Forest Wind? Please get in touch via email info@forestwind.com.au