lal lal wind farm project update no. 9 - august...
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Lal Lal Wind Farm Project
Update No. 9 - August 2016
Welcome Welcome to the latest project update for the Lal Lal Wind Farm. You are receiving this update because you
have previously registered an interest in being included on WestWind Energy’s mailing list.
It has been a busy time for WestWind as we prepare for an independent planning panel hearing to consider an
amendment to our planning permit. We have been on site conducting some pre-construction work, as well as
meeting with various community groups, service clubs and schools to gain a better understanding of the
community surrounding the Lal Lal Wind Farm.
Planning Panel In 2015 WestWind Energy made an application to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
(DELWP) to change the existing wind farm permit to facilitate the use of new and more efficient wind turbine
technology. Late last year the proposed changes to the wind farm were put on public notice. In July 2016
DELWP referred the amendment to the approved Lal Lal Wind Farm to an independent planning panel.
At a planning panel Directions Hearing on July 29, 2016, WestWind Energy outlined its intention to lodge a
variation to the original amendment application. The amendment variation was lodged with DELWP in August,
2016. Once public notice is made, a date will be set by Planning Panels Victoria for an independent planning
panel hearing to consider the changes to the permit.
What are the changes? Since the project was approved, advances in technology have made wind turbines more efficient. For the Lal
Lal wind farm, this means that more clean energy can be generated and exported, whilst also reducing the
total number of turbines required on site. Some of the changes included in the amendment application are
listed below:
Reduce permitted wind turbines from 64 to 60; Apply a newer and more accurate noise standard; Increase wind turbine maximum tip-height from 130m to 161m; Replace the rotor diameter and hub height restrictions to allow a maximum tip height of 161m with a limit
of 20m above ground for the lowest point of the sweep of the rotor; Locate wind turbine transformers next to the towers; Allow an option to relocate the substation approved for the Elaine section;
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The table below describes how the proposed changes to the permit will impact on key project outcomes.
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Parameter Existing approval Approval sought
Proposed wind turbine numbers 64 60
Generation capacity MW Up to 150 Up to 216
Gwh per year App. 336 Approx. 504
Payments to Moorabool Shire annually* $228,000 Approx. $300,000
Average Households Powered 63,111 95,000
Construction workers 150-200 150-200
Operational workers 15-20 15-20
Indirect employment during the construction phase 500-600 500-600
*payments commence after connection to the grid
Lal Lal Wind Farm Timeline As you are probably aware the Lal Lal Wind Farm was approved some time ago. It can become confusing as to the status of the
project as it’s construction timeframe has been revised over the years. This is largely due to changing State and Federal policy.
Key dates in the life of the project include:
Project mooted – 2006 Site establishment works began at Yendon - April 2013
Permit application lodged - March 2008 Application to amend the permit prepared - February 2015
Planning panel sits - November and December 2008 Minister for Planning extends the time to complete the wind farm-
April 2015
Minister for Planning approves the project - April 2009 Application to amend the application is prepared and submitted to
DELWP – October 2015
Minister for Planning approves secondary consents under the per-
mit for the Yendon Section (such as Environmental and Traffic Man-
agement Plans) - March 2011
Further changes are made to the application to amend the permit
and submitted to the DELWP—August 2016
Re-position wind turbine ESWT02 within the Elaine Section, 150m to the south of its approved location; Clarify that the Minister for Planning is the responsible authority for various matters to be done to the satisfaction of the
responsible authority; Clarify that wind turbines should not be located within 50m of a non-host dwelling’s title boundary; Correct spelling mistakes in the planning permit; and Require off-site landscaping to be made available to the owners of dwellings within 4km of wind turbines.
What will the changes look like? A number of visual simulations have been prepared comparing the proposed amendments to the existing approval.
The example viewpoint illustrated is from the edge of Lal Lal township, looking north to north-east towards the
Yendon section of the approved wind farm. The image on the bottom illustrates the current, final variation sought to
the permit. Visual simulations from additional viewpoints can be viewed on our website (w-wind.com.au).
How will the changes be assessed? An independent planning panel will assess the changes and make a recommendation to the Victorian Planning
Minister. Independent planning panels are a means of providing public participation in the planning and environ-
mental decision making process. The panel will independently assess planning proposals by considering submis-
sions, conducting hearings and preparing reports. The planning panel is advisory and makes recommendations,
with the final decision being made by the Planning Minister. The full amendment to the planning permit
application can be viewed at: www.w-wind.com.au
Photomontage of 161m high wind turbine with a 140m diameter. (Amendment variation 2016)
Photomontage of 161m high wind turbine with a 122m diameter. (Amendment 2015)
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WestWind Energy Pty Ltd
Head Office
Office 5, Level 1
12-14 Prince Street
Gisborne Vic 3437
T: 03 5421 9999
W: www.w-wind.com.au
Contact us Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the Lal Lal wind farm. If you
have any issues, concerns or feedback, please contact our Communications and
Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Paige Ricci, on 03 5421 9944 or
email: [email protected]
More information For more information on WestWind Energy go to www.w-wind.com.au or keep
up-to-date with what’s happening at WestWind Energy and in the world of
renewables by following us on Facebook: facebook.com/westwindenergy
Amendment Application To view a copy of the permit amendment changes as submitted to DELWP, go to www.w-wind.com.au/lal-lal-planning-panel-2/. If
you do not have access to the internet and would like a hardcopy of the amendment application mailed to you, please contact
WestWind Energy’s Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Paige Ricci on (03) 5421 9944.
Community WestWind Energy recognises that wind farms are not only projects to generate clean electricity, but they are also social projects. Project feasibility often depends on the communities’ level of acceptance, so solid community engagement practices are vital in establishing a wind farm that is mutually beneficial to all stakeholders. WestWind Energy appreciates that community engage-ment goes well beyond the requirements necessary under the planning permit, and has adopted engagement strategies that en-able the input of community to identify local values and inform the decisions and activities of the project. As part of our community engagement strategy, a Community Reference Group (CRG) has been established for the Lal Lal Wind Farm and consists of a cross-section of community members. The role of the CRG is to enhance communication between West-Wind Energy and the community; enhance WestWind’s understanding of community issues; encourage community partnerships; and, ensure the local community benefits as a result of the wind farm project. Part of the CRG’s role will be to identify and nomi-nate community projects for funding opportunities that benefit the wider local community. Once projects have been nominated, the CRG will make recommendations to the wind farm on which community projects could benefit financially, via a Community Benefit Fund. The Lal Lal Wind Farm CRG meets on a regular basis, and is currently accepting applications. If you or anyone you know is inter-
ested in finding out more about the CRG, please contact Paige Ricci on (03) 5421 9944 or email: [email protected]
Mailing list
We are currently updating our records to ensure interested parties receive relevant project information as it becomes available.
To facilitate this, we hope to communicate via email with as many of you as possible. However, if you would prefer to receive a
hard copy of our project updates in the mail then we can continue to provide this. Please email [email protected] or call
(03) 5421 9999 with your preferred method of contact and with your current contact details.
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