To reduce the biosecurity risks associated with the movement of machinery for Powerlink Queensland’s Genex Kidston Renewable Energy Project, Hinchinbrook Shire Council has approved the construction and operation of a weed seed wash down facility.
The Powerlink Project will see the construction of a switching station within the Mount Fox Cricket Ground Reserve on Knuckledown Road to service a new 186 kilometre transmission line from Mount Fox to Kidston.
Powerlink requested the opportunity to work with Council to establish the washdown facility along the western boundary of the public reserve, not only to meet its own biosecurity obligations as part of the new transmission line, but also to provide a public weed seed prevention facility on the western boundary of the Shire, Council said in a statement.
Council representatives initiated discussions with members of the Mount Fox community in early 2022 to seek local advice on the positioning of the site. The Mount Fox Cricket Grounds were agreed upon as the most suitable location as it can be accessed by community members and visitors travelling to and from western Shires into the Hinchinbrook area, and prevent further potential weed seed spread.
Powerlink will be responsible for the initial construction and maintenance of the facility for the life of the Genex Project (until approximately mid April 2024), at which point Council and the Mount Fox community will negotiate whether they will continue to operate the facility as an ongoing weed seed prevention asset for the Shire into the future.
Due to the early onset of this year’s wet season, commencement of construction works has been delayed. It is anticipated that construction will now commence in early 2023 and be operational by June 2023, weather permitting, with the likelihood of it being available for use by the local and travelling public soon after, Council said.