THE Woolsthorpe Wind Farm is a step closer to starting construction after the state government approved a plan to allow for taller turbines.
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The 20-turbine development is the latest to receive approval for a planning permit amendment allowing for improved technology.
State planning minister Richard Wynne said the change meant Wind Farm Developments would increase the wind farm’s turbine heights from 135 metres to 168 metres.
Mr Wynne said the amendment would boost the wind farm’s energy capabilities, allowing it to power the equivalent of around 38,000 households per year.
He said the development would account for greenhouse gas savings of up to 232,000 tonnes and result in about 60 jobs during the wind farm’s construction.
The planning minister also ordered the turbines be set back 120 metres from nearby trees to minimise the potential impact on southern bent-wing bats.
A bat and avifauna management plan will be put in place, which will include a bat monitoring program for at least two years.
It is the latest activity in the south-west’s slowly growing clean energy industry.
The state government also recently approved planning permission for two wind farms at Cooriemungle and Timboon.
Moyne Shire also recently appointed community engagement committees for the Dundonnell, Hawkesdale, and Ryan Corner wind farms, and also moved to set up a similar committee for the Salt Creek Wind Farm.
Cr Ian Smith told a recent Moyne Shire meeting he believed the long-delayed Salt Creek Wind Farm was “nearly ready to start construction” and that it was “better late than never”.
The state government has set a target of 25 per cent renewable energy generation by 2020, and 40 per cent renewable energy generation by 2025.
Moyne Shire has also given Macarthur Wind Farm a thumbs-up in regards to noise compliance, having received a report into the wind farm’s noise levels which the council subsequently had peer reviewed by an independent body.