The Rockhampton region has recorded the worst levels of deforestation in Queensland under the Albanese Labor Government’s reckless renewables rollout, with 1,866 hectares of threatened species habitat bulldozed since 2022.
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said new findings from The Wilderness Society expose Labor’s shocking environmental hypocrisy, revealing that across Australia, more than one million hectares of forest and bushland have been destroyed in the name of renewable energy.
“Labor claims to be protecting the environment but under their watch, our region has become ground zero for deforestation. Koala habitat is being bulldozed, wildlife wiped out and our landscapes scarred by projects that Labor calls ‘green’.”
The report also found that 65 per cent of detected clearing across the state was never referred to the Federal Government for assessment under national environmental laws, despite clear legal requirements when threatened species are at risk.
“Labor are breaking their own environmental laws while pretending to save the planet,” Ms Landry said.
“They’re funding this destruction through the Capital Investment Scheme, using taxpayer money to bankroll projects that are devastating bushland and wildlife.”
Projects like the Moah Creek Wind Factory, west of Rockhampton, have received a share of $600 million in Federal funding. Meanwhile, Labor continues to claim renewables are the “cheapest form of energy”, despite spending over $64 billion underwriting projects.
“Labor would never approve this level of industrial destruction for a mining project but under the banner of renewables, they’ll sign off without question.
“This is greenwashing with a bulldozer,” Ms Landry said.
Further mapping by Rainforest Reserves Australia has revealed the staggering scale of Labor’s renewables rollout, with more than 45,000 kilometres of new haulage roads, more than 25,800 wind turbines and over 584 million solar panels set to carve through rural and regional Australia.
“Here in Central Queensland, we’ve seen the Lotus Creek Wind Farm, a project that was knocked back by the former Coalition Government due to its devastating impact on koala habitat, given the green light by Labor just months after coming to office.
“At the same time, Stage 2 of the Clarke Creek Wind Farm is forging ahead, clearing even more bushland and destroying native wildlife habitat.”
“These projects highlight Labor’s hypocrisy. They talk about saving the planet, yet they’re destroying the very environment they claim to protect.”
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