Status
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Background
HMC Capital (the project was previously owned by Neoen Australia Pty Ltd) proposes to construct up to 105 wind turbines covering approximately 7,500 hectares of private and public land in Nelson, south west Victoria, approximately 30 kilometres north west of Portland and 3 kilometres east of Nelson township.
In addition to the turbines and their towers, the proposal would include connection to high-voltage transmission lines via overhead and underground cabling, terminal substations, access tracks, wind monitoring masts and temporary infrastructure associated with construction (i.e. construction compound, laydown areas, water extraction, concrete batching plants and a potential on-site quarry).
The proposed wind farm would have a total capacity of approximately 900 MW, produce approximately 3,300 GWh of electricity each year, and an operational life of approximately 30 years.
Minister's assessment
On 22 December 2025, the Minister for Planning issued her assessment of the environmental effects of the project under the Environment Effects Act 1978. This concludes the EES process for this project.
The assessment has been provided to the proponent and statutory decision-makers to inform approval decisions.
The Minister’s assessment concludes that the environmental effects of the project can be acceptably managed. This is dependent on the effective implementation of the Minister’s recommendations, which largely supports those of the inquiry and advisory committee (IAC) and includes some modifications and specific mitigation measures developed to ensure acceptable environmental outcomes are achieved.
Public review and inquiry
Inquiry and advisory committee (IAC)
The Kentbruck Green Power Hub Inquiry and Advisory Committee was appointed by the Minister for Planning to consider effects of the project on 26 November 2024.
See Planning Panels Victoria Kentbruck Green Power Hub Inquiry and Advisory Committee
EES exhibition update
The Environment Effects Statement (EES) and draft planning scheme amendment for the Kentbruck Green Power Hub Project was on public exhibition between Tuesday 28 January 2025 and 11.59pm on Monday 31 March 2025.
You can view the environment effects statement and any related documents at Kentbruck Green Power Hub.
Extension to exhibition period
Due to the identification of some omissions and errors in the exhibited EES and draft PSA documents for the project, the public exhibition period for the EES and draft PSA was extended from the original closing date (Tuesday 11 March) to 11.59pm on Monday 31 March 2025. The extension will provide interested parties the opportunity to review and consider the new material and make submissions.
This notice from the proponent provides a description of the errors or omissions that were identified, and the actions the proponent took to rectify these.
Submissions have now closed.
EES preparation
Consultation Plan
The proponent prepared a communications and consultation plan for the EES, outlining the opportunities and approaches for its community engagement during the preparation of the EES.
Technical reference group
The Department has convened an inter-agency technical reference group to advise the proponent and the department, as appropriate, on scoping and adequacy of the EES studies during the preparation of the EES, as well as coordination with statutory approval processes.
The government organisations represented on the technical reference group were:
- DELWP - Impact Assessment
- DELWP - Barwon South West Region (biodiversity)
- DELWP - Renewable Energy (Planning)
- Aboriginal Victoria
- Heritage Victoria
- Parks Victoria
- Glenelg Shire Council
- Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority
- Southern Rural Water
- Regional Roads Victoria
- Environment Protection Authority
- Country Fire Authority
- Earth Resources Regulation
Technical reference group representatives were supported by internal experts on specific aspects of the EES studies.
Scoping requirements
The scoping requirements set out the matters to be investigated and documented in the EES.
Draft scoping requirements for this EES were placed on public exhibition in December 2019. After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning issued final scoping requirements in February 2020, dated January 2020.
Note: Microsoft word version does not include Appendices B and C.
Minister's decision on referral
On 25 August 2019 the Minister for Planning required Neoen Pty Ltd to prepare an environment effects statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.
Project contact
If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch via the contact details below.
Kentbruck Green Power Hub works:
☎ Telephone: 1800 966 206
Website: https://kentbruckgreenpowerhub.com.au/
✉ Email: contact@kentbruckwindfarm.com.au
Page last updated: 06/01/26