How big is the Project?   

How much power will the Project produce?  

The Wind Farm will produce up to 1300MW – enough to power over 600,000 homes per year. The Battery will store up to 400 MW of power and will be capable of supplying this continuously for up to three hours. It will be used to provide grid support such as frequency support, as well as storing energy from the wind or solar farm.   

How was the location chosen? 

This site has been selected as it is ideal for a renewable energy development for the following reasons: 

• Significant wind resources on the site. 
• Proximity to the proposed Victoria – NSW Interconnector West (VNI West) Transmission Network Project, which will provide capacity for the transmission of more renewable energy in the region.  
• Excellent transport access with minimal impact to local roads and easy access to major roads. 
• Gently undulating terrain which reduces the need for extensive civil ground preparations. 
• At least 1.5 km from wind turbines to the nearest non-involved dwellings. 
• Low population density surrounding the development area. 
• The Project site has historically been heavily cleared for agricultural purposes, making it easier to reduce environmental impacts and avoid unnecessary impacts. 
• Partnering with landholders to integrate the wind farm into their  existing farming practices. 

How big are the wind turbines? 

The turbine size will depend on both turbine availability and commercial suitability. The procurement process will be informed by the outcome of the planning application process. For flexibility of turbine selection, a conservative “maximum turbine envelope” will be used in all technical reports and environmental studies. RES will be seeking planning approval up to the following maximum specifications: 

• Power output of up to 8MW each.  
• Tip height: 280m 
• Hub height: 182m 
• Blade length:98m 

What other infrastructure will there be on the site?  

The site will require some additional infrastructure to support the ongoing operations and maintenance of Project. This is expected to include the following:  

• Access tracks with erosion and sediment control 
• Site office/ warehouse building and operation & maintenance facilities. 
• Car parks and temporary laydown areas 
• Electrical substations and switching station  
• Meteorological masts for measuring wind speed and other climatic conditions. 
• Temporary construction facilities including a construction compound, borrow pit and concrete batching plant facilities. 

This infrastructure will be contained within the site.

Will there be a battery storage system? 

Allowances have been made to include a battery storage system as part of the wind farm development. Further network studies and commercial considerations are required to determine the viability of the system, which will likely be located within the wind farm project area.  

How close is the Project to houses?  

State regulations require a minimum separation of 1000m between houses and wind generation turbines, however RES have designed the Project with a minimum 1500m buffer between non-involved houses and turbines.   

How long will the Project be there and what happens at end of life?  

The wind farm is expected to have an operational life of approximately 30 years or more. After this time, the project owner will either decommission the site and restore the area to its previous land use, or negotiate with landowners to repower or upgrade the equipment and extend the wind farm’s operational lifespan. In some cases, parts of the wind farm will remain post-decommissioning, however, it is most often because they continue to serve a functional purpose, such as the substation or access tracks. The Project will have a decommissioning plan which details the rights and responsibilities of parties during decommissioning.

Further details about wind farm decommissioning can be found at the Clean Energy Council website. 

Is it possible for me to host the Project on my land?  

The Project is well advanced in terms of the existing landholder agreements and technical studies, and we may not be able to expand the Project boundary at this stage. We’re still happy to discuss opportunities at a high level, depending on the location and impact to the existing studies and constraints.  

What is the planning and approval process for the Project?  

RES lodged the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) referral with the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) in May 2024. The Minister for Planning has not yet determined whether an EES is required.  

The Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) Referral was also lodged in May 2024 and a determination is pending. 

When a determination is made about the requirements for an EES and Terms of Reference are issued, RES will outline future steps and timelines for EES studies, ongoing engagement and finalising the Planning Permit application.   

How will the wind farm connect to the electricity network? 

How will you determine the transmission line route? 

RES is in the initial stages of investigating a potential transmission line route to connect the wind farm to VNI West.  We have identified 3 broad study areas for investigations and are currently undertaking preliminary studies to understand the social, environmental and physical values within these areas.  

This includes identifying land use practices and the location of houses and other places of assembly which are a key component in the route selection process.  

From these initial studies, a proposed route will be identified for the transmission line.  It is important to note that the route assessment is a starting point and not the final outcome. The next steps will be for RES to engage with landholders to understand their willingness to partner with RES in hosting a transmission line. RES expects the proposed route will change as our engagement with landowners and the community progresses and evolves and as environmental/heritage field studies are progressed.

The transmission line is proposed to be located within a 70m-80m wide easement on each property.   

How will RES engage with landholders? 

RES acknowledges that electricity transmission lines may cause concern for landholders and the surrounding community.  We have an experienced Landholder Relations team dedicated solely to engaging with landholders and to be their main point of contact with the project.  The team will guide landholders throughout the process including to feedback property information critical to the final transmission line route selection.   

They will also manage all access to a property for environmental and heritage investigations through strict adherence with access conditions agreed and documented with each landholder. 

Voluntarily hosting the transmission line   

Landholders will be invited to voluntarily partner with RES to host the transmission line on their property.   

A land acquisition and compensation agreement will be presented to landholders and RES will pay reasonable professional fees for each landholder to consider the agreement.   

Does RES have compulsory acquisition rights in respect of the transmission line? 

RES does not have compulsory acquisition powers to secure a powerline easement. The Cannie Wind Farm connection will be located with the agreement of landowners and permission will be sought from landowners prior to any proposed site assessments. 

How long will the construction process take? 

How will RES manage impacts from construction?  

RES is committed to identifying potential construction impacts and managing them responsibly. A Construction Management Plan will be developed for the Project that will reflect proposed control measures to minimize impact to the environment, adjoining neighbours, road users and the broader public.  

We aim to reduce the impact of our works on the community and the environment with:  

• Standard construction hours and scheduling of work  
• Well-maintained equipment and plant  
• Monitoring and management of all construction activities, ensuring all standards and guidelines are met.  
• Regular Project updates for our neighbours and the community, including information on any changes to local traffic conditions.
• Listening to feedback and suggestions on how local impacts might be reduced.  

What will be the impact to local roads?   

RES acknowledges that managing the traffic and transport impacts of the Project, particularly during construction, is critically important to the local community. A Traffic Impact Assessment will be undertaken in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards and advice from Councils and Department of Transport and Planning and VicRoads. 

This assessment will include a detailed route study, calculation of approximate anticipated total traffic movements and assessment for over-sized and over-mass (OSOM) loads, including any locations of upgrade works to facilitate these movements. 

Preliminary design activities will focus on reducing the number of proposed vehicular access points to maintain safe road driving conditions and minimise required changes to the road network. 

RES is undertaking an assessment of transport routes and will consult with Department of Transport and Planning, VicRoads and relevant local councils and the community to ensure the adequacy of proposed routes. A Traffic Management Plan will be developed in in accordance with identified requirements. 

Where will local workers be accommodated?   

To the extent possible, accommodation will be sourced locally, however we are aware of the existing accommodation shortages in Kerang and Swan Hill. RES and the contractor employed on the Project will work with the local Councils to determine the best accommodation options for the project.   

Where is the concrete coming from for the Project?   

Concrete will be batched at a temporary batching plant located on the Project site.   

Where will gravel for the roads come from?  

Sources of gravel, both from within the Project footprint and from nearby suppliers, will be assessed as part of the development process.  

Will construction introduce weeds to the local area?  

The Project will comply with biosecurity obligations.  Controls including vehicle washdowns will be implemented to manage the potential for the introduction of weeds to the Project site.   

Will construction or operation of the Project need to use additional water?  

Water will be required for numerous construction activities such as concrete batching as well as personnel amenities. Water may also be required for dust control and equipment cleaning during construction. Ongoing water usage is minimal. 

Will there be any disruptions to local power supply?  

There may be some extremely limited interruption (through scheduled outage) to local power supplies at the time the Project is connected into the transmission line, however there will be no long-term impacts on local power supply.  

Will the Project interfere with mobile telecommunications during construction?   

The Project Team will work directly with telecommunication providers to ensure that there is ample connectivity during construction and operation of the wind farm.    

To what extent will neighbours be impacted (visual and noise)?  

Throughout this process, any residents that might receive impacts that potentially exceed these guidelines will be consulted with on a case-by-case basis to make sure that each resident has a solution that is suitable for them and their household. 

If RES cannot demonstrate that impacts are within the recommended limits or that impacts have been accepted and agreed with directly affected Neighbours, planning approval will not be received. Additionally, if the Project cannot demonstrate this compliance during operation, licenses may be revoked, and generation will cease. 

What are the health impacts of wind projects?   

Wind and Battery energy is a safe, effective and sustainable form of energy generation. RES is a responsible family-owned organisation and we take our obligations to the community extremely seriously. With all our activities we are guided by statutory requirements and advice from leading authorities and peak bodies.  

A study was commissioned by National Health and Medicine Research Council, which had been directed by the Australian Government to explore health complaints made by some people living near wind farms. The study found that the infrasound generated by wind turbines does not make people dizzy or nauseous, does not affect heart health or mental health, or affect sleep. You can view more information about this study here. 

Various other studies have been undertaken across the globe – a summary can be viewed here.

Is the Project going to cause a fire risk or hinder the ability to fight fires?  

Under normal operating circumstances, it’s extremely unlikely that a wind farm can cause or adversely affect a bush fire. The turbines are constructed on cleared hardstanding areas. Each turbine and building on the Project site will have an Asset Protection Zone established around it and vegetation in these areas will be maintained during the operation of the Project. Water tanks will be installed as part of the construction of the Project.   Wind farms are also highly unlikely to start a bushfire by attracting lightning. Should a wind turbine be struck by lightning, built-in control systems divert the voltage safely underground. 

The Project is required to develop asset protection and bushfire response procedures with the Country Fire Authority (CFA). Aerial firefighting can be undertaken around wind turbines if appropriate strategies, emergency management systems and communications protocols are in place. As part of the Cannie Wind Farm Project, RES must develop and implement a bushfire management plan that includes response strategies such as shutting down and positioning turbine blades to facilitate aerial access and consult with the CFA to develop other appropriate procedures, such as curtailment (stopping) of turbines during fire events. If turbines and other tall structures are to be equipped with aviation obstacle lighting, RES must ensure there are procedures in place to quickly activate the lights during a bushfire or fog event to increase the transparency of these obstacles to pilots. Further information can be found in the CFA Guidelines 

Wind farms can assist firefighting efforts. The roads and safe-turn-around points provided by wind farm infrastructure can enable local firefighters to safely access areas that were otherwise inaccessible, providing firebreak, backburn and safe evacuation opportunities. 

In 2013, during a grass fire at a South Australian wind farm, ignited by lightning, the access roads built for the wind farm proved beneficial for firefighters. These access tracks, initially installed for wind farm construction and maintenance, served as a natural firebreak, enhanced onsite accessibility and enabled effective back burning. This unexpected advantage positively impacted response times and the local fire brigade’s ability to combat fires on the wind farm or neighbouring properties. https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/news/in-case-of-fire-a-real-life-experience-at-a-wind-farm-site 

What are the benefits to the local community?

How will you/have you consulted with the community?  

RES is committed to clear, honest, and transparent community engagement through all stages of a project lifecycle from initial site selection through to planning, construction and operations. The company’s approach to engagement is heavily influenced by and consistent with the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) Best Practice Charter for Renewable Energy Development. We have developed a Community Engagement Plan and will seek feedback from the local community on our planned engagement process. Two Community Information sessions have been held both in Quambatook  and Lake Boga  as well as one-on-one meetings with project neighbours, as requested. Community members are welcome to sign up via the link on the website to receive project updates.  

Ongoing consultation activities include:  

• Community Information sessions;  
• Newsletters/Project updates;  
• One on One meetings with adjoining residents (face to face or remotely); and  
• Community Liaison Meeting (following planning approval).  

Will the commitments to the community be upheld if the Project is sold?  

Financial and in-kind commitments to the community that are formalised in the development of the Project will transfer as obligations to a new project owner. Community fund, decommissioning and property costs are built into the financial model of a project, and these will be maintained irrespective of the project owner. 

Will there be economic opportunities for local people?   

It is likely that the skills and numbers of workers required to deliver the Project may not be available locally or from close proximity to the site. RES will work with the selected contractor/s to examine the potential for local employment and to identify areas where learning and upskilling can occur to maximise the possibility. If you are looking to start a career in renewables or transition to a career in renewables, there are many ways you can be involved in this exciting and growing industry. You can search jobs on the Clean Energy Council website here.

Other possible indirect opportunities to create economic benefit from the Project may include property rental, catering, coffee carts, hotels/motels, and other enterprises, subject to council approval.  

Will property prices be affected?  

Do wind farms impact insurance or rates for neighbouring properties? 

RES carries all relevant insurances and is not aware of any impacts on insurance or rates of neighbouring properties.  We have also reached out to the Clean Energy Council and the Insurance Council of Australia They have advised that preliminary engagement with their members has found that insurers do not have concerns with farmers hosting renewable energy infrastructure, nor have they experienced cases where farmers have been unable to obtain insurance (or seen premium rises or sought higher levels of liability coverage) because they or their neighbours are hosting transmission lines/renewable energy projects. 

Will nearby airfields be affected by the wind farm e.g. from reflection, glare, turbulence or obstructions?  

RES will work closely with Aviation consultants and nearby airfield owners to discuss the Project impacts. An Aviation Impact Assessment will be undertaken as part of the development process and submitted with the planning application. 

Will the Project impact on agricultural land?  

How will the wind farm affect birds and bats?  

Before being granted planning approval, a wind farm proponent must undertake a detailed biodiversity assessment that considers all the biodiversity impacts of the proposal including clearing of native vegetation and indirect or prescribed species impacts including potential bird and bat strike. 

Mortality figures from wind energy projects in NSW indicate an average rate of 1 to 3 bird fatalities per turbine per year. A summary of NSW findings can be found here.

These estimated mortality rates are considerably less than estimates for other anthropogenic sources. Millions of bird and bat deaths can be attributed each year to collisions with buildings, vehicles and power lines, and predation by feral and domestic cats. 

This graph was published in the Australian Financial Review on 5 Feb 2024. 

Scientist in Victoria have also completed research in this area by analysing wind farm post construction mortality monitoring data for birds and bats in Victoria between 2003 and 2018. Two reports can be found at the links below:

https://www.ari.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/435309/ARI-Technical-Report-302-Investigation-of-existing-post-construction-monitoring-at-Victorian-wind-farms.pdf  

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/521edeb1e4b01d29835d1d62/t/5f936ebf0a0443568cce1425/1603497671188/Symbolix_PostConstructionVic_Aus_20201024.pdf  

 Will trees need to be cut down?  

The site is historically heavily cleared for agricultural activities. RES designs projects to have as little impact as possible to the existing environment, however removal of some native trees is unavoidable. Turbines are placed in areas away from trees, tracks are designed around existing access roads and existing clearings are used for infrastructure wherever possible. The Project will undergo a careful detailed design to reduce the impact to existing native vegetation. 

Will the Project have adverse impacts on erosion or flooding?  

Erosion potential and localised flooding and drainage has been assessed as part of the planning application preparation. The Project is not anticipated to significantly alter the existing land contours. More importantly it has demonstrated that there is no change to flood water flows, especially on to neighbouring properties. It is important for the site stability to ensure overland flows are controlled and managed to ensure safety to the assets and lower ongoing maintenance costs during operation.  

An Environmental Management Plan will be prepared that ensures measures are appropriately implemented and monitored throughout construction and operation so that there are no unacceptable impacts on the local area.  

Are there any other environmental impacts that need to be managed?  

The Project’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will provide a comprehensive framework for managing all environmental issues associated with the Project.   

Can wind farm components be recycled? 

According to a Clean Energy Council report released last year, around 85% to 94% of a wind turbine’s mass is recyclable. Leading turbine manufacturers are taking steps to increase the sustainability of the sector through a combination of research and demonstration projects with the aim to produce zero. You can view the CEC report here 

Why are wind turbines getting larger?  

Do larger turbines produce more noise? 

Advancements in turbine design and technology have enabled manufacturers to mitigate noise levels even as turbines increase in size. This is due to improvements in aerodynamics, lower rotation speeds.  

Do wind farms disrupt local weather patterns?  

No reliable evidence has been found to support the suggestion that development of local infrastructure assets such as wind farms can have any impact on local weather patterns.  

Are wind farms and batteries expensive and inefficient compared to other energy sources?  

The Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for wind energy projects is much lower than the LCOE of any other form of generation. That means that the cost to build and operate a renewable energy project is far less than the cost to build and operate coal, nuclear and gas projects (3 to 4 times cheaper). https://reneweconomy.com.au/solar-and-wind-keep-getting-cheaper-and-crush-coal-gas-and-nuclear-on-costs-lazard/  

The advantage of building a large wind farms is that it creates economies of scale, making it much more efficient to generate electricity on a large-scale basis.   

The advantage of battery storage is in its space efficiency and ability to be easily linked to renewable energy generators, soaking up excess electricity generated for later use.