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Forest Wind Newsletter #8

June/ July 2021

The Forest Wind team has been busy working on many aspects of the Project over recent months, including wind resource measurement, site design and optimisation, logistics studies, environment and planning studies, grid connection studies and ongoing community engagement.

Highlights of our recent activities are covered below.

 

PROJECT UPDATES

We are preparing our Request for Information (RFI) report which will be submitted to the Federal Department of Environment, after which the Department will advise on the public notification period as required under the EPBC Act. Once this public notice period is known, we will notify the community.

The team has been investigating transport routes for delivery of major components such as blades, towers and nacelles to the Project site. This has involved an extensive logistics study to assess road and port entries and the most efficient way to deliver the components to where they are needed with the least impacts. Once the transport routes have been further refined, we will share these plans and consult with the local community.

Our wind engineers have been busy collecting wind and climate data from the Project site. This extensive data is being used by the whole team which includes our own wind engineers, the turbine manufacturer team and an independent third party wind expert team, in an ongoing complex process of optimisation in order to determine the precise locations of the wind turbines within Forest Wind’s Development Permit conditions.

We are planning to conduct another round of community engagement and information sessions in local community halls when further information becomes available on the transportation routes and Stage 1 site design. Closer to the time, we will post notices of these events in upcoming newsletters and through local community information sites.

We are currently revising the program and anticipate being able to provide an update in three months.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via info@forestwind.com.au

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community Reference Group

Forest Wind’s Community Reference Group (FWCRG) has met on the 11th September in Poona, the 11th November 2020 in Boonooroo and the 23rd February 2021 in Maryborough. Meetings of the FWCRG have provided a great opportunity to address community questions and concerns regarding the Project and for members to provide feedback on various aspects of the Project. The FWCRG is also an important stakeholder in the development of the Forest Wind Community Benefits Sharing strategy. Thank you to all members for your valuable contributions to this forum.

Copies of the FWCRG agendas and minutes are available on our website at Community Reference Group — Forest Wind

If you would like to get in touch with the FWCRG or suggest items to be discussed at the next meeting, please email fwcrg@forestwind.com.au

 

Envirotech Day Gympie

We were very pleased to have a stall at the Envirotech Day Gympie on 17 April 2021. There was a strong turn out from the local Gympie community with many people interested in low or zero emissions technologies, including electric vehicles, roof top solar and battery storage. It was a great opportunity to share information about Forest Wind and answer many questions from stall visitors. We look forward to participating in next year’s event!

Forest Wind’s stall at the Envirotech Day Gympie 17 April 2021

 

Forest Wind at the Combined Probus Club of Maryborough

Forest Wind’s Stakeholder and Community Engagement Manager welcomed the opportunity to present at the May 12th meeting of the Combined Probus Club of Maryborough. The approximate 70 members in attendance were very interested in the project and the presentation generated much discussion around the role of wind farms in the energy mix, manufacturing, construction and decommissioning of wind farms and emissions when compared to fossil fuel electricity generation. Thank you to the Probus Club of Maryborough for the invitation and we look forward to future engagement with your members.

Presentation to the members of the Probus Club of Maryborough, 12th May 2021

Wind energy and birdlife

Do you have questions about wind energy and birdlife? RE-ALLIANCE has put together this useful overview to help address the issue: Wind energy and birdlife - Australian Wind Alliance (re-alliance.org.au)

Details on the extensive bird surveys conducted for Forest Wind are also available on our website at Planning Documentation — Forest Wind

 

COMMUNITY BENEFITS SHARING

The team is working on the Forest Wind Community Benefits Sharing strategy. This strategy will identify how Forest Wind will work in partnership with local community organisations and groups to deliver initiatives that create lasting benefits in the region.

If you would like to get in touch to share your ideas on community priorities and areas of need and ways to address them, please email info@forestwind.com.au

 

JOBS AND INDUSTRY

Workforce Development

Over the past six months we have been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to build awareness of the Forest Wind project and the employment opportunities it will create. This includes meetings with local councils, state and federal government agencies and representatives, training providers, industry bodies and contractors. Over the coming months and in the lead up to construction, we will be working closely with our contractors and local stakeholders to implement strategies to maximise local employment opportunities, including identifying training and skills development opportunities, and connecting job seekers with employers.

In the meantime, if you are interested in future work opportunities on the construction and operation of Forest Wind, please visit our website at Job Seeker EOI — Forest Wind and complete the Expression of Interest form.

We are particularly interested in hearing from the Traditional Owners of the land, the Butchulla and Kabi Kabi people.

Local supplier Expressions of Interest still 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.

The Closing Dates have been extended until 30 June 2021.

If you have any queries, please email eoi.forestwind@siemensgamesa.com

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.

 

FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE

The developers of Forest Wind respectfully acknowledge the Butchulla People and Kabi Kabi First Nation People of the land on which Forest Wind is proposed.

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

Want to know more?

Visit our website for more information

Forest Wind

(C) Forest Wind Holdings Pty Limited, PO Box 1613 , Noosaville, QLD 4566, Australia

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