The Lotus Creek Wind Farm is a 285 megawatt project owned by CS Energy that is being constructed on privately-owned cattle grazing land at Lotus Creek, halfway between Rockhampton and Mackay, in Central Queensland. The project is being constructed by Vestas and Zenviron.
Construction update
Recent progress at site has included the construction of a 400-person workers accommodation camp, establishment of site offices, commencement of substation construction, and work on internal access tracks and wind turbine hardstands.
The site workforce will ramp up in the coming months with a primary focus on civil construction activities for the remainder of the year prior to the start of turbine component deliveries in the first half of 2026.
Public road upgrades
To facilitate safe access for both public vehicles and construction traffic, sections of St Lawrence Croydon Road that lead to the Lotus Creek Wind Farm site are being upgraded. The work is being undertaken in stages to maintain traffic access.
An upgrade of the intersection of Marlborough Sarina Road and St Lawrence Croydon Road has been completed.
Work currently underway includes:
- Widening and re-grading of 18km of St Lawrence Croydon Road from Marlborough Sarina Road to the eastern most access point to the wind farm. This is required to facilitate the oversized vehicles that will deliver turbine components.
- Upgrading Main Creek Bridge by installing a new bridge and then removing the old bridge. Road access across the creek will be maintained throughout.
What to expect:
- Sections of St Lawrence Croydon Road and Marlborough Sarina Road will be under traffic control while upgrades are undertaken. This may result in minor delays which the project will endeavour to minimise.
- Traffic controllers and signage will be in place to direct traffic around work areas.
Environment update
Clearing controls and offset area
The project must abide by strict best practice control measures to minimise impacts to biodiversity, including setting aside an environmental offset area of ~4,500 hectares, which equates to more than 10 times the project’s clearing footprint.
The clearing required for the project is being undertaken in areas currently used extensively for cattle grazing and comprises less than one per cent of the property that the project is located on.
The project is using controls such as on-site surveys, GPS tracking on machinery, physical and GPS flagging of protected areas, and satellite imagery to monitor construction and ensure that it stays within the approved clearing footprint.
Protecting local cycads
The Lotus Creek Wind Farm is required to translocate protected plants such as Cycads from the project footprint to protected areas on the property. The cycad translocation program will prevent the plants from being impacted by construction works and help ensure the protection of the species.
Translocation of protected Cycads is progressing well – with the first signs of new growth evident in some of the translocated plants. To date, approximately 1,500 Cycas terryana plants have been translocated, out of a total of around 3,000.
In parallel to the translocations, cycads seeds will be collected onsite to propagate seedlings for planting in subsequent years. The program is overseen by qualified ecologists and includes regular condition monitoring and compliance reporting to government agencies.
Community update
Community benefit fund
Seven not-for-profit organisations are sharing in funding through the first round of the Lotus Creek Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
CS Energy established the fund in 2025 to provide financial support to projects and events that help enrich the Lotus Creek, Clarke Creek, St Lawrence and surrounding communities in a tangible, lasting way.
Through the fund, $100,000 will be awarded annually over two rounds per year (to be opened in March and September). Eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding to bring new opportunities, strengthen community connections, and enhance local facilities.
Congratulations to the round one recipients:
- St Lawrence Recreation Group for a first aid recovery shed
- St Lawrence State School Parent and Citizens Association for iPad upgrades
- Clarke Creek State School Parents and Citizens Association towards a Student Enrichment Program school excursion
- Clarke Creek Branch of the Isolated Children’s Parents Association for a portable cold room
- St Lawrence Public Sportsground Committee for fridge and cash registers
- St Lawrence Recreation Group for transport costs associated with the St Lawrence Campdraft
- Clarke Creek Pony Club for a community playground.
As part of our commitment to the region, earlier this year CS Energy announced that it had partnered with BMA CQ Rescue as a sponsor for the next three years. BMA CQ Rescue provides emergency medical helicopter services to the region, including inter-facility transfers, transporting medical personnel to the site of an injury or illness, and search and rescue missions.
Upcoming events
The Lotus Creek Wind Farm team will be in the local area to talk with the community and share information about the project.
Where you can find us:
Contact us
Email: info@lotuscreekwindfarm.com.au
Phone: 1800 979 786