The Australia Government has approved an 800MW wind farm project in Queensland, being developed by Windlab.
The Prairie wind farm project, located 40 km north-east of Hughenden, will include the installation of 116 wind turbines.
It will be built on active cattle property in the Flinders Shire in north-west Queensland, about 340 km south-west of Townsville.
Prairie is part of the North Queensland Super Hub, an umbrella for multiple individually permitted wind, solar, and storage projects co-located within the same region.
This high-yield, multi-gigawatt resource is ideally suited for multiple offtake opportunities, while being compatible with existing agricultural land use.
The Prairie wind farm approval comes with strict conditions to protect nature, including limits on land clearing.
The project site is predominantly cleared land, and the layout has been selected to avoid and minimise any potential impacts to threatened species.
Minister for environment and water, Tanya Plibersek, said:
“Labor is getting on with the job of transforming Australia into a renewable energy superpower while Peter Dutton and David Littleproud’s expensive nuclear plan is threatening investment in renewables.
“Last year more renewable energy was connected than any other year in Australian history and 2025 is off to a great start.
“I’ve now approved 70 renewable energy projects – enough to power more than 8 million Australian homes.
“The renewable energy transition is real, it’s happening right now. And it’s the only plan supported by experts to deliver clean, affordable and reliable power for homes and businesses.”
Windlab CEO John Martin said: “Windlab is responsibly developing Prairie in a way that minimises potential impacts on ecology.
“Securing EPBC Act approval reflects around four years of detailed responsible design, and over two years environmental scrutiny, and consultation.
“We are committed to achieving better outcomes for both nature and communities, going beyond just reducing emissions.
“By collaborating closely with communities and prioritising sustainable practices, we demonstrate how renewable energy can harmoniously coexist with the land while also fostering sustainable and equitable regional economic opportunities for everyone.
“During construction, Prairie is set to create around 500 jobs and could inject more than $400 million into regional Queensland through employment, supply, and contracting opportunities.”