Article by Jason Gregory, courtesy of Stock Journal
05.12.2025
Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest is the latest green energy player to be caught up in a widening systemic failure after asbestos was found contained within new imported turbine components at one of his wind farms.
The detection of the banned substance is an unwelcome surprise for a renewable energy industry still struggling with community engagement and social license issues attached to large-scale developments across regional Australia.
The alarm was first sounded last month by Chinese energy company Goldwind Australia after it stumbled on asbestos materials in brake pads installed within internal service lifts during a routine inspection of its Cattle Hill Wind Farm in Tasmania’s Central Highlands.
The discovery triggered a national safety response from state and federal regulators, that includes restricting turbine access and establishing exclusion zones at impacted wind farms.
While Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen told parliament last week that it was already a “very serious matter”, two days ago Squadron Energy reported that “a number” of contaminated brake pads had been detected at its 100-turbine $1 billion Clarke Creek development in Central Queensland.
The Queensland government and New South Wales opposition have since called for an audit of all operational turbines within states borders to ascertain the scale of the problem.
Dr Forrest, who owns Squadron, opened the first stage of Clarke Creek in late October, stage two will see another 88 turbines added.
“This is an industry-wide issue stemming from a component that would fit in the palm of your hand,” a Squadron Energy statement said.
“There is no risk to the community, and the health and safety of staff and community members remains our number one priority.”
Goldwind supplied the pads and, also in a statement, the company said that the components were sourced from third-party manufacturer 3S Industry who “supplies to a range of industrial customers”.
The full extent of contamination across Australia’s wind-farm fleet is not yet known, however European renewable company Vestas recently quarantined turbines at a $4.5 billion wind farm near Geelong, in Victoria, and another in Western Australia this week.
It is up to individual companies whether to remove or remediate the brake pads.
The Clean Energy Council has reported that air quality testing by independent hygienists has not detected airborne asbestos found in any affected turbines.
However, authorities have cautioned that risks to maintenance workers who use the internal lifts remains under review.
Mr Bowen was also quick to inform parliament that the Cattle Hill Wind Farm was completed in 2020 while the Coalition was in power.
“This is an historical matter which deserves to be thoroughly investigated, the workers of Australia deserve nothing less,” he said.
The discovery in pads installed in turbines switched on just two months ago adds another layer of intrigue to the situation.
While regulators are using 3S Industry customer records to pinpoint areas for investigation, and have at least 10 more sites in the crosshairs, Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie this week ordered a full audit of all wind turbines in the state.
“Every worker has a right to go to work, and return home, safely,” he told media.
“It is incumbent on these companies to ensure workers and regional communities are not at risk of exposure to hazardous materials.”
The importation of asbestos or goods containing asbestos into Australia has been prohibited since 2003.
Mr Bowen also revealed that there “may well be” multiple wind farms impacted and that 3S Industry does not just handle wind turbine parts, but provides industrial lifts for any high-rise infrastructure.
The situation coincides with the detection of the deadly substance in children’s play sand that forced the closure of schools and childcare centres in several jurisdictions last week and triggered calls by the South Australian and ACT governments for a national inquiry into how its got there.
Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan told ACM-Agri that Labor must set out how it plans to prevent further imports, identify how many sectors could be impacted and reassure communities that contaminated materials are not circulating more widely through supply chains.
He added that it also raises broader questions about the government’s heavy reliance on overseas manufacturing to hit its renewable energy targets.
The revelation came as Labor rammed its reforms to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act through the Senate by striking a deal with the Greens.
A key reason for the urgency is that the overhaul is designed to fast-track the assessment of major renewable, housing and mining projects.
It is unclear whether supply-chain or importer oversight, import controls or border checks are ultimately to blame.
An Australian Border Force spokesperson said it is working with suppliers to gauge an “understanding of the scope of the issue”.
It is also currently reviewing, alongside Commonwealth stakeholders and state regulators, “the circumstances of these importations for any potential enforcement action”.
Australia is one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific region that has a comprehensive ban on all six types of asbestos.
Goldwind has supplied materials to or operates at least 475 turbines in Australia.