The Government of Australia has granted planning permit approval for the 800 MW Golden Plains onshore wind farm in Victoria.
The 800 MW Golden Plains Wind Farm will be developed about 60 kilometres north-west of Geelong and will generate nearly 3,000 gigawatt hours of electricity per year – enough to power more than 400,000 homes.
The planning permit approval follows the conclusion of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) by the minister at the end of 2018. The Minister’s assessment of the EES supported the project, subject to increasing the turbine-free buffer area to ensure breeding wetlands used by native birdlife are adequately protected.
The decision reflects advice from an independent expert planning panel and may result in a reduction of up to 47 turbines, from 228 to 181, with the number depending on how the proponent chooses to meet environmental restrictions.
The project must now be considered by the federal government for approval.
Proponent WestWind Energy will take around four years to build the project if approved.
