Status
On this page:
Background
Warracknabeal Energy Park Pty Ltd (a subsidiary of Westwind Energy Pty Ltd) is proposing to construct a wind farm consisting of up to 230 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 280 metres above ground level and an installed capacity of 1,650 MW.
The project is located in Yarriambiack Shire in north-west Victoria, approximately 5 kilometres away from township of Warracknabeal.
The proposed project includes two on-site sub stations with battery energy storage systems, which would be connected through a combination of approximately 282 km of underground cabling, and approximately 21 km of overhead powerlines joining the project’s Northern Section to the Southern Section. The project is proposing to connect into the Murra Warra terminal station, through approximately 13 km of overhead transmission line. This section of transmission line is proposed to run adjacent to the existing 220 kilovolt (kV) Horsham to Red Cliffs high voltage electricity transmission line. A number of access roads would also be upgraded and constructed for the project.
The proposed project would have an expected operational life of 25 years after a four-five year construction period.
EES preparation
Consultation plan
Warracknabeal Energy Park Pty Ltd has prepared a consultation plan, outlining the opportunities and approaches for community engagement during the preparation of the EES. The plan may be updated as required and the updated version posted on this page.
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 are:
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)
- Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) – Planning
- DTP – Transport
- Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- First Peoples – State Relations
- Heritage Victoria
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria
- Wimmera Catchment Management Authority
- Yarriambiack Shire Council
Technical reference group representatives are 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 environment effects statement (EES).
Draft scoping requirements for this EES were on public exhibition between 23 August 2024 to 16 September 2024.
After considering public submissions on the draft scoping requirements, the Minister for Planning issued the final scoping requirements in December 2024.
For the most up-to-date project design and information about the Warracknabeal Energy Park project, please refer to the project proponent’s website or contact the project proponent using the details at the bottom of this page.
Minister's decision on referral
In September 2023, the Minister for Planning required Warracknabeal Energy Park Pty Ltd to prepare an environment effects statement (EES) under the Environment Effects Act 1978 to assess the potential environmental effects of the project.
The EES is being undertaken as an accredited process set out in the bilateral agreement under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). It will have to assess the relevant matters of national environmental significance identified in the Commonwealth decision that the project is a 'controlled action' requesting approval under the EPBC Act.
More information
Proposed Warracknabeal Energy Park project queries:
☎ Phone: (03) 5421 9999
✉ Email: info@WarracknabealEnergyPark.com.au
EES process queries:
Impact Assessment Unit
Department of Transport and Planning
☎ Phone: 03 8266 7633
✉ Email: environment.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au
Page last updated: 24/12/24