Forest Wind Newsletter #5

30 July 2020

Welcome to the fifth Forest Wind Newsletter

As restrictions ease across Queensland, we are pleased to re-commence in-person community engagement events, but we are mindful of the ongoing risks COVID-19 continues to present to the community. Please continue reading for more information.

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Poona Centennial Hall - Wednesday, 19th August

Bauple Band Hall - Wednesday , 26th August

Want to learn more about Forest Wind?

Do you have specific questions you want answered?

Or do you want to provide feedback on the proposed wind farm?

With COVID-19 restrictions easing, Forest Wind is pleased to host Community Engagement Sessions at:

  • Poona Centennial Hall on Wednesday the 19th August from 12.30pm till 5pm

  • Bauple Band Hall on Wednesday 26th August from 12.30pm till 5pm 

We are scheduling 30-minute sessions for up to 10 people at a time to ensure we remain COVID-19 safe whilst providing an opportunity for discussion and feedback about the Project with members of the Forest Wind team.

You can register your interest to attend in one of the following ways:

  • Complete the survey in the link provided here

  • Phone our office on 07 5447 1472

  • Email info@forestwind.com.au and indicate the location, the number of people in your group and your preferred meeting time (30min slots, starting at 12.30pm)

Registrations close Friday 14th August for the Poona Session and Friday 21st August for the Bauple session.

Confirmation of your registration and meeting time will be communicated to you via phone or email.

We will do our best to meet during your preferred time but may need to propose an alternative time to accommodate all interested participants. 

We look forward to meeting you there!

Please note that more community engagement sessions will be held on a weekend in the coming months. Details to be announced closer to the time.

 

RE-OPENING CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: FOREST WIND COMMUNITY REFERENCE GROUP

We are re-opening our call for nominations to join the Forest Wind Community Reference Group to increase its membership (previously named the Community Consultative Committee).

We are seeking to increase the number of members in the Community Reference Group to ensure we have wide representation and productive outcomes. Thank you to those who have nominated so far.

The purpose remains the same and the Community Reference Group will provide a forum for discussion between the Forest Wind Project Team and representatives of the community, such as 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 again calling for nominations from local community representatives and representatives from local stakeholder groups to become a member of the FWCRG.

The FWCRG Terms of Reference and nomination forms can be downloaded from our website at https://www.forestwind.com.au/community-reference-group

Nominations close 5pm on 21 August 2020

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

 

Closing date for Expressions of Interest from potential suppliers extended!

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 for many of the work packages.

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.

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

 

Project updates

Forest Wind Farm Development Bill 2020

In our last newsletter we mentioned that 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. The Bill was transferred to the State Development, Tourism, Innovation and Manufacturing Committee (the committee) for detailed consideration and their report was tabled on 3 July 2020.

The Bill remains before the Queensland Parliament and we will provide further updates when available.

Referral to the Federal Government under the EPBC Act 1999

Forest Wind Holdings lodged a Referral for the Project to the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (EPBC Act 1999).

The Department determined that the Project will require assessment and approval under the EPBC Act before it can proceed.

Forest Wind Holdings is preparing its submission in accordance with the requirements set by the Federal Government. We will advertise the public consultation period for our submission when these details are available.

 

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. We are consulting with 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

Want to know more?

Visit our website for more information