The South Burnett Regional Council has received a Development Application for a proposed 434-person workforce accommodation camp on Council-owned land at Kingaroy Airport.

The accommodation is intended to house over 400 construction workers associated with the proposed Tarong West Wind Farm.

Information released publicly indicates the workforce camp was originally proposed within the 19,000-acre wind farm project area near Kumbia. However, the proposal was subsequently redirected to Kingaroy Airport following discussions between Council and the project proponent.

The proposed development includes accommodation buildings together with supporting infrastructure including roads, parking, utilities and associated facilities.

If approved, the proposal would introduce a large temporary workforce camp into an area currently used for aviation activities and many local, well established community organisations and volunteer groups.

We support:

• Transparent and accountable decision-making.

• Independent planning and traffic assessments.

• Genuine community consultation.

• Protection of Kingaroy Airport as a long-term strategic aviation asset.

• Protection of Airport based community organisations and volunteer groups.

• Fair consideration of alternative workforce accommodation options.

• Sustainable economic development that benefits the entire South Burnett.

The question is not whether development should occur.

The question is whether it is occurring in the right location and through the right process.

Key Community concerns:

Our concerns extend well beyond the construction of a workforce camp.

This proposal raises important questions about governance, planning integrity and the future of strategic community assets, including:

• The level of transparency surrounding negotiations and decision-making.

• The use of strategic airport land for a non-aviation purpose.

• Potential impacts on airport based volunteer organisations and community facilities that have served the region for decades.

• Increased traffic and safety impacts on local roads.

• Long-term planning implications should temporary infrastructure remain beyond the construction period.

• Potential impacts on local accommodation providers and businesses.

• Whether alternative locations have been fully and independently assessed.

We believe these issues deserve open discussion, independent expert assessment and meaningful community consultation before any decision is made.

CLICK HERE to sign the petition to have the workers camp moved!