EPBC referral now open for public comment

Review the referral documents and lodge a submission via the EPBC Public Portal.

Central Queensland Power (CQP) is pleased to announce that the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) referral for the Wooderson Solar Farm (the Project) has been published and is open for public comment. This is a standard step in the federal assessment process and is your opportunity to review the referral information and provide feedback for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to consider.

A range of technical studies and field surveys have been conducted to optimise the Project siting and design as well as to minimise the potential Project impacts. CQP has prepared a Matters of National Environmental Significance Assessment and Preliminary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (available on the EPBC Act Public Portal – instructions below). Mitigation measures adopted for the Project include iterative design to maintain habitat connectivity and avoid large areas of remnant vegetation containing suitable habitat for species of national environmental significance. These measures include the implementation of avoidance buffers, and the placement of linear infrastructure within non-remnant or otherwise disturbed areas. The Project will also avoid waterways and associated riparian vegetation and is committed to implementing fauna-friendly infrastructure design measures. Opportunities to further avoid and minimise impacts will be developed during the Project’s detailed design phase.

How to review and make a submission:

1.       Open the referral page: https://epbcpublicportal.environment.gov.au/all-referrals/project-referral-summary/project-decision/?id=a9e08879-8ff2-f011-8407-7c1e5289e8d7 (EPBC Number: 2026/10417)

2.       Review the Project Documents via the links provided on the page.

3.       Use the “Make a comment” button on the portal to lodge your submission online.

Closing date: Please lodge your submission by Monday, 2 February 2026. (Check the portal for the exact closing time on the day.)

Tips for preparing a useful submission:

·       Be specific and, where possible, reference sections of the referral or supporting studies you are commenting on.

·       Focus on matters protected under the EPBC Act (for example, listed threatened species and ecological communities, migratory species, and World and National Heritage Areas).

·       Share any local knowledge or data that could help improve assessment of potential impacts and proposed mitigation.

Accessibility and support: If you need help accessing the referral documents or using the portal, please reply to this email and we’ll assist.

Privacy: Submissions are made directly to the Australian Government via the EPBC Public Portal. Please refer to the portal for information about how your comments are handled and privacy considerations.

Please note: all submissions must be made via the EPBC portal – submissions cannot be sent to CQP directly.

Thank you for your ongoing interest in and support for the proposed Wooderson Solar Farm.

Wooderson Solar Farm site