(Posted in response to the full page ad in the Tweed Valley Weekly- November 7 2024)
https://ptba.net.au/
The Great Dividing Range
is a magnificent series of connected mountain ranges that form the backbone of eastern Australia. Stretching over 3,500 kilometres from the tropical north to the temperate south, this ancient landscape is home to some of the most ecologically significant habitats on Earth. Sadly, this natural wonder is facing severe threats from major alternative energy developments. Already, deforestation, urban expansion, and unsustainable resource extraction are affecting the integrity of this vital ecosystem..
All ridges will be contoured for access roads and pads to install wind turbines.
Impact on Native Vegetation
The proposed renewable energy projects, particularly wind farms, in Queensland, pose a significant threat to the state’s high-quality, intact native vegetation. This presentation highlights the critical conservation values of these areas and the heavy price being paid in terms of the degradation of ecologically important ranges.
Key Findings:
- Extensive Vegetation Clearing: The analysis shows that the renewable energy projects will clear large areas of endangered, of concern, and least concern vegetation, as well as impact significant additional areas within a 200m buffer zone.
- Threatened and Rare Ecosystems: Several Queensland regional ecosystems of highly restricted extent will be severely impacted, with some ecosystems losing up to 31% of their total extent.
- High-Quality Vegetation Condition: The coastal ranges of Queensland contain some of the last remaining high-quality, intact native vegetation in the region. However, this ecological value is not adequately recognised in current legislation.
- Weed Invasion and Hydrological Changes: The construction of roads and infrastructure for renewable projects poses serious risks of weed invasion and changes to water flow and hydrology, further degrading the native ecosystems.
- Inadequate Offsets: Multiple ‘range endemic’ species will be impacted – they cannot be replaced ‘elsewhere’. Offsets are intended to secure No Net Loss; it is a market mechanism to prevent the loss of biodiversity. All levels of government commit to preventing further extinctions. Read here: Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
By addressing these critical issues, we can work towards a more sustainable and ecologically responsible approach to renewable energy development in Queensland.
