Overview

Overview

Background

Willatook Wind Farm Pty Ltd is proposing to construct a wind farm of up to 59 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 250 metres above ground level and an indicative generation capacity of 350 megawatts in the Moyne Shire, about 22 kilometres north of Port Fairy.

The proposed permanent ancillary infrastructure includes up to three permanent wind monitoring masts approximately 170 metres high, a substation, a battery energy storage system, operations and maintenance buildings and yard, underground cables, above ground power transmission lines and access tracks.

Temporary infrastructure for the construction period for the proposal includes on-site concrete batching plants, an on-site quarry, cleared construction laydown areas, temporary construction compounds and facilities and site parking.

The Tarrone Terminal Station is proposed to connect the on-site substation to the 500 kilovolt Heywood-Moorabool transmission line.

The proposed Project would have an expected operational life of about 25 years.

On 27 December 2018 the Minister for Planning determined that an EES is required for the Project under the Environment Effects Act 1978.

Two planning permit applications have also been made for the Project:

  • PA2201620 for the development of the wind energy facility and associated infrastructure within the Moyne Shire.
  • P22065 for removal of native vegetation in Glenelg Shire along the haulage route for the project.

Process

Inquiry and panel

See Planning Panels Victoria Willatook Wind Farm Inquiry and Panel.

Exhibition

The EES and planning permit applications were publicly exhibited from Monday 4 July 2022 to Friday 12 August 2022.

You can view the EES, planning permit applications and related documents at Willatook Wind Farm.

Scoping requirements

The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the Environmental Effects Statement (EES).

Draft scoping requirements for this EES were on public exhibition between July and August 2019.

After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final scoping requirements in August 2019.

To assist with interpretation of the final scoping requirements, please view questions and answers containing guidance on their development here.

Consultation plan

The proponent, Willatook Wind Farm Pty Ltd, has prepared a communications and consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.

The plan may be updated as required during the preparation of the EES. If the plan changes, the updated version will be posted on this page.

Technical Reference Group

The department has convened an inter-agency Technical Reference Group at the request of the Minister for Planning to advise the department and the proponent on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies and documentation, as well as co-ordination of the EES process with other statutory processes for the project.

The government organisations represented on the Technical Reference group are:

  • DTP - Impact Assessment
  • DEECA - Barwon South West (biodiversity)
  • DEECA - Wind Farm Planning
  • First Peoples-State Relations
  • Heritage Victoria
  • EPA Victoria
  • Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority
  • Regional Roads Victoria
  • Earth Resources Regulation
  • Moyne Shire Council

Technical Reference Group representatives are supported by internal experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.

Minister’s decision EES required

On 27 December 2018 the Minister for Planning required Willatook Wind Farm Pty Ltd to prepare an environment effects statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.

More Information

If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below.

  • Proposed Willatook Wind Farm Project queries:
    Willatook Wind Farm Pty Ltd
    ☎ Phone: 1800 934 313
    ✉ Email: info@willatookwindfarm.com

Documents

Project documents

Scoping Requirements

EES Consultation Plan

Minister's Reason for Decision