In a stunning reversal that has left the renewable energy sector reeling, a billion-dollar wind and battery project in Queensland has been thrust back into limbo, despite initially securing federal approvals. But here's where it gets controversial: the Moonlight Range wind farm, a 450-megawatt powerhouse paired with a large-scale battery storage system, was abruptly canceled by the Queensland Liberal National Party (LNP) after a sudden policy U-turn. Now, the project’s developer, Greenleaf Renewables, is fighting back, re-entering the federal approvals process in a bold bid to revive this massive clean energy initiative.
Located just 40 kilometers west of Rockhampton, the project had been greenlit by the newly elected Crisafulli government in December 2024. However, in a move that sparked widespread criticism, Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie overturned the approval in May, citing non-compliance with new development codes and solar/wind farm rules introduced earlier that year. Bleijie pointed to “significant feedback” from local residents and stakeholders, as well as concerns over infrastructure and environmental impacts, with over 550 submissions received during the consultation period.
But this is the part most people miss: upon closer inspection, only about 25% of those submissions came from locals. Industry experts have since raised eyebrows, suggesting that organized, politically motivated anti-renewable lobbying may have played a disproportionate role in derailing the project. This raises a thought-provoking question: How much influence should external, politically driven groups have on local renewable energy projects?
Greenleaf Renewables has been vocal in its disagreement with Bleijie’s decision, emphasizing its “thoughtful and transparent” community engagement over the past three and a half years. Undeterred, the company is now advancing to the public exhibition stage of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) approvals process, a separate federal pathway that could offer a lifeline for the project.
In a recent statement, Greenleaf highlighted the EPBC process as a crucial opportunity for the community and stakeholders to review and comment on the project’s environmental aspects. “We aim to ensure every assessment is robust, transparent, and compliant with current requirements,” said Django Tricker, senior development manager for the Moonlight Range Wind Farm. “And, importantly, we want the community to know their voices will be heard and meaningfully considered.”
Looking ahead, Greenleaf plans to initiate a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in 2026, a key requirement under the LNP’s new rules, which also mandate a binding Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) with local councils. For now, the focus remains on the EPBC process and addressing feedback gathered during the public exhibition period from November 11 to December 8.
But here’s the real question: Will this federal pathway be enough to overcome the state-level hurdles, or is this project doomed to remain a symbol of the broader political tug-of-war over renewable energy in Queensland? We’d love to hear your thoughts—do you think the Moonlight Range project deserves a second chance, or are the concerns raised by the LNP valid? Let us know in the comments below.
For those eager to dive deeper, the project’s planning and application documents are available online and in hard copy at the Rockhampton Regional Library and the State Library of Queensland. And if you’re passionate about staying updated on clean energy developments, join over 27,800 subscribers by clicking here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.
