AGL Energy Limited (AGL) is encouraging local residents to have their say on the proposed Coopers Gap Wind Farm project in southern Queensland following the Office of the Co-ordinator General (OCG) placing the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submissions on public exhibition.

AGL’s Coopers Gap Wind Farm project manager, Neil Cooke, said the EIS will be on public exhibition for six weeks from the 23 September to 7 November, 2016.

“This is a good opportunity for community members to have their say and provide valuable input on the project,” Mr Cooke said.

The EIS can be viewed online at www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/assessments-and-approvals/current-eis-projects.html and it will also be on display at the Western Downs Libraries at Bell, Chinchilla, Dalby and Jandowae, as well as the South Burnett Libraries in Blackbutt, Kingaroy, Nanango, Wondai and Proston.

AGL will also be holding drop-in information sessions during the EIS exhibition period.  

“These sessions are a chance for the community to meet the project team, learn more about the project and ask questions to help inform their EIS submissions.

“While there is some time to go before a final decision is made on whether the project proceeds to construction, we are happy with how things are progressing. Other factors to consider include the results of the tender, the final scope of the project, further development activities, and financing arrangements,” explained Mr Cooke.

The community drop-in information sessions will be held on Thursday 13 October, 4pm -6pm at Cooranga North memorial Hall, Cooranga-Niagara Road, Cooranga North; and Saturday 15 October, 9am-1pm, Bell Bunya Community Centre, 71 Maxwell Street, Bell.

Formal submissions can be emailed to coopersgap@coordinatorgeneral.qldgov.au or sent via post to Coordinated Project Delivery Division, Office of the Coordinator General, PO Box 15517, City East, QLD, 4002.

Local residents are also invited to attend the next Coopers Gap Wind Farm CCC meeting on Thursday 13 October, from 1pm to 3pm at the Cooranga North Memorial Hall, Cooranga North to receive a project update.  

The Coopers Gap Wind Farm is proposed to have approximately 100 turbines, which would produce around 1,100 GWh of renewable energy, powering more than 190,000 average Australian homes. The renewable energy produced would reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 860,000 tonnes annually, which is the equivalent of taking over 250,000 cars off the road.

About AGL
AGL is one of Australia’s leading integrated energy companies. It is taking action to responsibly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while providing secure and affordable energy to its customers. Drawing on over 175 years of experience, AGL serves its customers throughout eastern Australia with meeting their energy requirements, including gas, electricity, solar PV and related products and services. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, solar, landfill gas and biomass.