Wind energy facilities

Amendment VC199 (gazetted 3 February 2022) changes the Victorian Planning Provisions and all planning schemes to align existing provisions with current policy, guidelines and legislation, delete redundant content and correct clerical errors. This includes changing the mandatory noise assessment requirement for an environmental audit report at clause 52.32-4 to require a verification report.

Amendment VC212 (gazetted 13 October 2021) changes the Victorian Planning Provisions and some planning schemes to support the ongoing operation of wind energy facilities and increases the amenity protections for nearby accommodation uses.

Amendment VC206 (gazetted 3 August 2021) changes the Victorian Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by modifying the particular provisions at clause 52.32 to remove the mandatory condition requirement for post construction noise assessment reports, clause 66.03 to make the Environmental Protection Authority a recommending referral authority for an application to amend a permit for a wind energy facility and updated clauses 19.01-2S and 52.32-6 to refer to current policy.

Amendment VC195 (gazetted 11 March 2021) changes the Victorian Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by modifying the particular provision at clause 52.32 (Wind energy facilities) to alter the exemptions for an application to amend a planning permit for a wind energy facility made under section 72 and 97 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Amendment VC192 (gazetted 16 November 2020) changes the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes to make the Minister the responsible authority for all large energy generation facilities and utility installations.

Amendment VC160 (gazetted 24 January 2020) changes the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by clarifying the mandatory noise assessment and mandatory conditions for wind energy facilities do not apply to applications to amend a planning permit where the changes will not alter the noise assessment of the wind energy facility.

Amendment VC161 (gazetted 17 September 2019) changes the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes to introduce new requirements for renewable energy facilities. The Minister for Planning is now the responsible authority for all new renewable energy facilities and utility installations that are 1 megawatt or greater, including battery storage.

Amendment VC159 (gazetted 8 August 2019) changes the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes to introduce and revise land use terms. This included amending the definition of ‘Utility installation’ to include transmit, distribute or store power, including battery storage.

Amendment VC157 (gazetted 15 March 2019) changes the Victoria Planning Provisions and all planning schemes so that a planning permit is required for a power line or substation required to connect an energy generation facility (including a wind farm) to the electricity network. This does not apply to generators that had planning approval prior to gazettal of the amendment.

Amendment VC141 (gazetted 21 November 2017) changes the Victorian Planning Provisions and all planning schemes by updating Clause 19.01 and amending Clause 52.32 to reflect changes proclaimed through the Planning and Building Legislation Amendment (Housing Affordability and Other Matters) Act 2017 in relation to an amendment to a planning permit for a windfarm. Clause 52.32-8 and 52.32-9 were added to specify that some amendments to called in planning permits for wind energy facilities are exempt from being referred to panel.

• Feedback is being sought until 16 March 2020 on the operation of the new provisions of Amendment VC157 - more information can be found on the energy generation facilities and associated powerlines page.

View previous wind energy amendments

Model planning permit conditions for wind energy facilities have been developed to assist all parties involved in permit applications. They are provided in Appendix B of the Policy and planning guidelines for wind energy facilities in Victoria (DOCX, 122.3 KB).

The conditions are for guidance only and should be adapted depending on the individual circumstance of each wind energy proposal.

Learn about the planning system in Victoria, including a complete guide to Using Victoria's Planning System (PDF, 2.8 MB)

At the start of 2020, Victoria had 26 operating wind energy facilities.

Information about these operating wind energy facilities, as well as information about other projects in Victoria that have lodged a planning permit application, have planning approval, or are under construction, can be found at the wind projects page.

Information about the steps the Victorian Government is taking to ensure the state makes the best use of its abundant wind resource as a renewable energy source can be found at the wind energy page.

Wind energy facilities in Victoria can be viewed on VicPlan, which is one of the Victorian Government's public GIS systems:

1. Start VicPlan
2. From the main toolbar, go to the ‘Map’ tab and click on the 'Layer Catalogue' button.
3. Expand the 'Wind & Solar Farms' folders and select maps by ticking the check-box alongside each layer. Click OK.
4. The selected layers will appear on the map and be listed in the layer control panel to the left of the map. You can turn these layers on and off by ticking the relevant check-box.

DELWP provides a pre-application service to applicants. To arrange a meeting, please complete the Renewable Energy Pre-application Meeting Request form and send it to development.approvals@delwp.vic.gov.au

Information relevant to native vegetation requirements can be found on the Native vegetation page.