The proposed Mt Challenger Wind Farm raises serious concerns for wildlife in the Mt. Challenger, Crystal Brook, Kelsey Creek and wider Proserpine and Whitsundays region.
This landscape supports a wide range of bird species, including raptors, waterbirds and migratory species, many of which rely on intact habitat, flight paths, and open airspace to survive.
Large-scale wind energy infrastructure can pose risks to wildlife through habitat disturbance, displacement, and collision — particularly for birds that soar, migrate, or move regularly across ridgelines and open country.
These impacts are not evenly distributed across the landscape.
Where wind farms are placed matters, and environmentally sensitive areas carry a much higher risk.
Independent risk-mapping tools and on-ground observations indicate that this location is highly sensitive for birdlife (AviStep/AviSteps mapping), with wind farm development considered to pose a very high risk to bird populations.
These risks are compounded when projects are proposed close to known wildlife corridors, feeding areas, and breeding habitat.
Wildlife impacts are not abstract or theoretical. They are experienced on the ground, over time, and are often first noticed by local residents, birdwatchers, landholders, and nature-based businesses. For this reason, community observation and documentation play a critical role in ensuring wildlife values are properly recognised, assessed, and protected.
This page outlines the key wildlife concerns associated with the proposed wind farm, and explains how members of the community can help record and document wildlife use of the area so these impacts cannot be ignored or minimised.
Other species at risk:
Wildlife Recording Guide
How birdwatchers and nature lovers can create records that matter
You don’t need to be a scientist to help protect wildlife.
What matters most is consistent, well-documented observation
that can be formally referenced in planning processes.
This guide shows how to record wildlife in ways that help hold developers accountable.
1) What to Record (Every Time)
Try to note the following for each observation:
- Date
- Time
- Location (GPS pin, road name, creek, paddock, ridgeline, or landmark)
- Species (or best description if unsure)
- Number of animals
- Behaviour
- Flying (direction + height if possible)
- Soaring / circling
- Feeding
- Nesting / breeding
- Perching or resting
- Habitat type (e.g. creek line, woodland, cane field, open paddock, ridgeline)
Tip: Consistency is more important than perfect detail.
2) Photos & Video (Extremely Valuable)
Photos and videos strengthen records, especially when they show:
- Birds flying at height (not just close-ups)
- Use of ridgelines, thermals, or corridors
- Nesting or breeding sites
- Repeated use of the same area
Important tips:
- Keep location and date settings ON on your phone or camera
- Take at least one wide shot to show landscape context
- Don’t edit out metadata if possible
3) Log Your Records on Recognised Platforms
Recording sightings on credible databases makes them harder to dismiss.
Recommended platforms:
- eBird (global bird records)
- Birdata (BirdLife Australia)
- iNaturalist
- Local wildlife or landcare group databases
These platforms:
- Time-stamp your records
- Help verify species
- Are used by researchers and planners
4) Link Observations to Known Risk Areas
Wind farm risk isn’t evenly spread across landscapes.
Tools such as AviSteps identify areas of high bird collision risk from wind energy.
You can:
- Compare your observations with mapped high-risk areas
- Screenshot relevant maps
- Reference them alongside your sightings
This connects on-ground observation with recognised planning data.
5) Submit Your Observations in Writing
Wildlife observations only count in planning processes if they are submitted in writing.
You can:
- Include a summary in a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) submission
- Attach photos or list logged sightings
- State clearly:
These observations were recorded over time and show regular use of this area by wildlife.
Even short written summaries matter.
6) Record Over Time (This Is Key)
One sighting can be dismissed. Patterns cannot.
Repeated records show:
- Flight paths
- Seasonal use
- Breeding or nesting importance
- That impacts are ongoing, not rare
Cumulative evidence is powerful.
Why This Matters
Well-recorded wildlife data:
- Challenges claims of “low impact”
- Strengthens SIA submissions
- Protects species that can’t speak for themselves
- Creates accountability that lasts beyond the approval stage
Plain-English reminder:
If wildlife use isn’t recorded, it can be denied.
If it’s documented consistently, it becomes very hard to ignore.
