The demand for renewable energy in WA will drastically increase in order to meet the Government objective to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The State Government announcement to close the coalfired power stations in Collie by 2030 has increased interest in opportunities for renewable energy developers.
The Shire of West Arthur has been attracting the attention of a number of renewable energy companies since April 2023. This area is considered an ideal location for wind farm developments due to the ability of renewable energy generators to connect to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) and its consistently positive wind test readings. The cleared freehold agricultural land in the Shire and the existing power lines running back to Collie present an opportunity for windfarm proponents such as Green Wind, Acciona Energía and RES who have recently announced projects in and around the Shire.
Renewable Energy Projects in the Shire of West Arthur
Green Wind Renewables has recently announced its Ambrosia wind farm project near Moodiarrup, approximately 30km south of Darkan. Green Wind can be contacted through the following link.
Acciona Energía announced its Bellwether wind farm project for the Darkan, Arthur River and Tarwonga areas. For information on Acciona’s project please visit the following links.
RES announced its Dardadine project in October 2024. This project is located on the border of the West Arthur and Williams Shires. RES can be contacted through the following link.
Vestas Development Australia Pty Ltd (Vestas) is developing a wind farm project in the Shire of West Arthur, in and around Bowelling. Information on Vestas Development and the contact for the Bowelling wind farm development is as follows.
Lacour Energy are progressing feasibility studies for potential windfarm developments across the Shire of West Arthur and Wagin. Information on the project and contact for the project are as follows.
The Shire has been in contact with other windfarm companies such as Neoen, and Vestas but none of these potential projects has been announced at this stage.
Shire Role in Development
Early engagement between wind farm proponents and the Shire has been crucial to determine the impacts and opportunities that wind farms could present to the community. The Shire held its first windfarm forum in July 2023 where roughly 150 people were in attendance. Since then, regular meetings have taken place with wind farm proponents to ensure that they understand what is in the best interests of the community and for the Shire to understand the impacts of the individual projects. The Shire will continue to engage with the community through community consultation events that will be advertised in the Bleat, and on the Shire website and Facebook page.
All members of the community are encouraged to contact the Shire, and provide comment on the opportunities, concerns and questions they have in relation to these projects. Alternatively, if you were wanting project specific details the Shire encourages you to contact the windfarms companies directly.
Development Application Process
The size and scale of most proposed windfarm developments mean that proponents will submit a Development Application (DA) to the State Development Assessment Unit (Western Australian Planning Commission) and be assessed through the projects of state significance development pathway (Part 11B Significant Development Pathway (planning.wa.gov.au) or submit a DA through the Development Assessment Panels (DAPs) process. Information on DAPs can be seen here How Development Assessment Panels work (planning.wa.gov.au) and Development Assessment Panels areas and members (planning.wa.gov.au).
Development near a Wind Farm
The Western Australian Planning Commission’s position statement on renewable energy facilities states that the recommended distance between a noise-sensitive land use i.e. dwelling and a wind turbine is 1,500 metres. A lesser separation distance requires acoustic studies by a qualified acoustic consultant prior to the acceptance of the proposal.
Individual landowners who are willing to accommodate wind turbines closer than 1,500 metres to an existing dwelling may choose to no longer occupy the premises or use it for residential purposes. The wind farm developer may then enter into an agreement with the land holder to pay for any compensation for the resultant loss of use. Noise emissions from renewable energy facilities, including wind turbines must meet the standards prescribed under the Environmental Protection (Noise Regulations 1997).
Community Consultation
The Shire recently hosted a community consultation evening (Nov 6th) which was facilitated by Peta Ashworth from Curtin University Institute of Technology. Presentations were given by Jai Thomas (Deputy Director General – Coordinator of Energy Policy WA), and the windfarm developers. An interactive community engagement session was held and the results of that session are available for viewing here. Jai Thomas' slide show is available to view here.
Further Information
More information about the renewable energy development can be found in the documents linked below.
- Western Australian Planning Commission’s (WAPC) position towards renewable energy projects in WA Position statement renewable energy facilities (www.wa.gov.au)
- Information on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) SWIS Demand Assessment (www.wa.gov.au)
- Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner’s role is to receive and refer complaints from concerned community residents about wind farms, large-scale solar farms, energy storage facilities and new major transmission projects as well as promote best practices for industry and government to adopt in regard to the planning and operation of these projects. The AEIC website has many different resources and publications for those interested in further information - Resources and publications | aeic
- AEIC has developed a document to inform landholders of background information and considerations when reviewing access agreements. The Shire encourages you to review this document before entering into any agreement with a windfarm proponent. Landowner Agreement Matters to Consider (aeic.gov.au)
- Queensland Farmers Federation has also produced a toolkit for landholders negotiating with renewable energy proponents - Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit - Queensland Farmers' Federation (qff.org.au)
- The Wheatbelt Development Commission’s approach to renewable energy projects, how they are working to support the industry and help Wheatbelt communities benefit long-term from the renewable energy transition - Renewable Energy - Wheatbelt Development Commission
- The book Wind Turbine Syndrome: A communicated disease by Simon Chapman and Fiona Crichton presents an evidence-based approach to wind farms. This book is available in library of the West Arthur Community Resource Centre.
- The book The Big Switch by Saul Griffith – “An inspiring, practical plan to transform Australia’s energy system and supercharge our response to the climate crisis".
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NSW State Government recently release its Planning Framework for Renewable Energy projects. There are guidelines within this framework that are related to wind farms, benefit sharing, transmission, agreements and other tools. These guidelines can be viewed here https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/policy-and-legislation/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-planning-framework
FAQ
What are the low frequency noise issues associated with wind turbines? Will this noise effect my health?
The Australian government’s primary health and medical research funding agency, National Health and Medical Research Council’s, findings on the connection between wind farms and human health can be found at these links.
Will wind turbines increase the likelihood of bushfires?
The following document produced by National Council for Fire and Emergency Services aims to address concerns and provide information surrounding bushfire preparedness, response and recovery activities 2018_10_AFAC_windfarmsbushfiresoperations.pdf (nsw.gov.au)
What happens when the turbine reaches the end of its service date?
The West Australian Planning Commission recommends that a decommissioning program should be developed separately to agreements in relation to the removal of the facility and the rehabilitation of the area. Information on the decommissioning of wind turbines can be found through the following link Recycling of wind turbine blades: Recent developments - ScienceDirect
How do I lodge a complaint against a wind farm?
Noise compliance of windfarms is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Authority WA (EPA WA). All noise complaints must go to the windfarm proponent prior to approaching the EPA WA. If the noise complaint is not resolved by the wind farm proponent than you can lodge your complaint directly to the EPA pollution hotline on 1800 161 176 or EPA WA | EPA Western Australia. The Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner also takes complaints through its website Making a complaint | aeic or on 1800 656 395.