Mount Emerald Wind Farm

RPS’ Cairns team has provided essential planning and environmental expertise for the Mount Emerald Wind Farm, one of Queensland’s largest wind farms powering 75,000 homes across Far North Queensland.

Challenge

With many years of experience leading projects through complex approval pathways, our Cairns planning and environmental specialists were engaged by independent power producer RATCH-Australia Corporation to support the planning of the wind farm.

Using our deep expertise in supporting renewable energy projects and local knowledge, we prepared a planning application and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

Solution

In prepare the planning application and EIS our team of specialists undertook detailed assessments for heritage, ecology, and visual, ground and surface water impacts for the $380m project.

Though the impact assessments we identified that the site was home to populations of endangered northern quoll, vulnerable Spectacled Flying Fox and critically endangered Bare Rumped Sheathail Bat, as well as six protected floral species. Our team of specialists provided guidance and strategies on how to minimise the impact on these species, and we successfully negotiated an ecological offset to mitigate any potential impacts of the wind farm on the environment.

Following planning approval for the construction of the wind farm, our environmental team continued to provide ongoing support, including third party auditing, throughout the construction and into the operational phase.

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From residential, community and commercial developments, to infrastructure projects and iconic landmarks, we can support you to achieve your project’s vision.

Contact us to see how we can make complex easy for your next project.