News

March 2025

Vestas’ Tara Wind Farm is proud to sponsor the Tara Panthers for their 2025 season. With $3,500 in sponsorship, some of the funds have paid for the purchase of new training shirts for the four Junior Rugby League Teams.

Tara and District Junior Rugby League is home to the Tara Panthers for children aged 4-13 years, fielding teams in Under 6, Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 age divisions.

Based in Tara, Queensland, the Club sits within the Western Downs Regional Council area.

Participating in the broader Western Downs Junior Rugby League draw, the Panthers will also be hosting the final carnival of the 2025 season.

Club President, Matthew Prain, applied for funding through the Tara Wind Farm Community Grants Program. The program is providing grants and sponsorship to support community-based organisations, initiatives, and events in the Tara region.

“We are pleased to be sponsoring a local sporting group that is run by volunteers for children in the Tara community,” Tara Wind Farm’s Project Manager, Alexander Normoyle, said.

“We are looking to give back to the community in which our wind farm is proposed to be built, and are contributing to organisations that have a positive impact on the region.”

Club President, Matthew Prain said the new training shirts could now be worn to training to avoid damage to school uniforms and Club polos.

 “A big thanks to Tara Wind Farm for its generous sponsorship to supply these shirts for the 2025 season,” he said.

Tara Wind Farm wishes the mighty Panthers good luck for the 2025 season!

Learn more about the Tara Wind Farm Community Grants Program.

March 2025

Unfortunately, we are unable to attend the Tara Show this weekend as planned, due to the weather event being caused by Cyclone Alfred.

We are disappointed that we’re not able to meet you and share information about the Tara Wind Farm.

We will plan future community sessions and advertise them locally, as well as here on our news page.

In the meantime, you might find our Frequently Asked Questions page helpful. You can also access our Project fact sheet and Project FAQs booklet on this website.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback, please complete our online survey at any time, email info@tarawindfarm.com.au or call 1800 717 704.

We hope everyone stays safe!

January 2025

The Tara Wind Farm Project team is hosting a stall at the Tara Show in March, and we would love to see you there!

Our team will be at the Show on Saturday 8 March to answer your questions and talk to you about how we can contribute to the Tara community.

We’re already supporting some local sporting groups and the Tara Shire State College, and we’d love to do more.

If you would like to know more about Tara Wind Farm, the planning and approval process, and the studies we are undertaking, please come and see us. We’ll have fact sheets and FAQs for you to take home and share with family and friends.

We are committed to engaging with the community as we progress our development application.

If you can’t make it, we would appreciate your comments through our online survey.

December 2024

Tara Wind Farm has recently completed its third bird and bat survey in the Project area.

The surveys form part of a series of in-depth ecological studies on wildlife and habitat protection.

What is a bird and bat survey?

A bird and bat survey identifies species of bird and bat and their site utilisation and movement patterns within the Project area to assess the potential risk of collision with wind turbines. The surveys also aim to identify bird and bat habitats and threatened species listed under State and Commonwealth legislation.

Why are we conducting bird and bat surveys?

Survey data will inform wind farm design by identifying key areas of bird and bat utilisation or areas of high potential wind turbine collision risk, with the key objective of minimising impacts to bird and bat species through design considerations.  The primary purpose of the Bird and Bat Management Plan (BBMP) is to describe the mitigation and management measures the Project will commit to; and to provide the long-term monitoring program the Project will undertake to assess the effectiveness of these measures on protecting bird and bat species.

How is a bird and bat survey conducted?

Suitably qualified ecologists conduct targeted field surveys within the specified Project area across wet and dry seasons to capture variation in species utilisation across seasons and to maximise the likelihood of detecting key target species. The data is collected from various locations within the Project area during different times of the day using stationary observations, land-based active area searches, and targeted habitat searches.

What happens next?

There is one remaining survey to be completed, and it will be conducted in February 2025. This survey is scheduled to capture the migration season of threatened and migratory birds (fork-tailed swift and white-throated needletail). Along with other ecological survey data conducted for the Project, including a targeted microbat survey, the survey will provide a detailed overview of bird and bat movements within the Project area and contribute to the Tara Wind Farm BBMP.

September 2024

The Vestas team visited Tara on Thursday 29 August to talk to the local community about the wind farm proposed south of the town. 

Around 70 people came to speak with our project team. We covered key topics including the Project timeline, location and process; cumulative impacts; environmental matters; and community needs. 

Thank you to those who provided good ideas on how we can work with the community to provide benefits.  

The session was part of our early consultation activities and helped us identify community concerns.  

You will have more opportunities to learn more about the Project and provide your views as we progress through the planning process. 

August 2024

The Tara Wind Farm Project team will host its first community drop-in session in Tara on Thursday 29 August.

The session is part of our early consultation activities and will help us identify any community concerns that shape the Project.

We want to get to know the Tara community and understand how you feel about our plans. We also want to learn what you value in your community and how we can contribute to its future.

Vestas recognises that individual communities are unique and diverse and will work closely with residents and stakeholders to deliver a Project that leaves a positive, long-term impact.

You will have more opportunities to learn more about the Project and provide your views as we progress through the planning process.

Please stop by for a chat.

Thursday 29 August 2024

8:30am – midday

Outside Foodworks

22 Milne Street, Tara

We would appreciate your comments through our online survey if you can't make it.