October 2024 - Project Update and Request for Input
Since our last update, the Project team has been continuing with preparation of the Project's Planning Permit Application and Environment Report for submission to the relevant Government Departments. This is a key part of the application and the overall project process. An overview of the process is provided below.
Carefully considering project design and project impacts
As you know, wind farm and battery storage projects are an important part of the renewable energy transition. As part of this, it is key to undertake careful design research, consider different layouts, and listen to locals and stakeholders about concerns and opportunities they may have on the project. To inform the project’s submission, impacts of the proposed development are independently assessed and reported, and these often include matters such as traffic, noise, visual, socio-economic and ecological impacts.
These assessments and feedback enable the project to target design changes that can further reduce potential impacts and improve outcomes for the local community, ecology, and native vegetation. Recent design changes made to the project layout, as shown in the below map, include:
Removal of two turbines from the South of the project, off Landsborough Road. The total number of turbines has now been reduced from 47 turbines to 45 turbines.
Relocation of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) further south-east from the previous location. The proposed new location is away from Landsborough Road and toward Bulgana Terminal Station, which reduces visual and noise impact.
Reroute of access track to reduce use of Vineyard Road.
Further design refinements are continuing to be explored throughout the Project, aiming to reduce potential impacts to community, local traffic and ecology.
At this time, we invite your feedback via a short survey.
As outlined above, it is important that local community members can provide feedback on the proposed project and have access to project information. One practical way to do this is via a community survey, which can be accessed here - https://forms.office.com/e/3CSjnsBsVw
The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous. We would greatly appreciate if you could fill the survey in. Your feedback enables us to better understand what is important locally, and what concerns, opportunities, and benefits are related to the proposed project. The feedback will be carefully considered as part of the planning and application process. We would be grateful if you could please complete it by 30 November 2024.
Next Steps and Project Process
The Planning Application and Environment Report is planned to be submitted in the first quarter of 2025. Further community information sessions will be held prior to this submission in early 2025. Once the project has been submitted to government for assessment, it will then be available for public viewing, and another opportunity for submissions from the community will be available. We will be in touch in regard to this once we have confirmed dates as part of our commitment of keeping the community up to date on the proposed Watta Wella renewable energy project.
Watta Wella Renewable Energy Project Timeline
Community Information Sessions – Q1 2025
Planning submission – mid 2025
Construction – mid/late 2026 (approximate timing dependent on planning approval and timing of Western Renewables Link)
In the meantime, RES is proud to be sponsoring the Stawell Show for the third year on 26 October. We hope to see you there!
As always, please get in touch if you have any queries or sponsorship opportunities.
Email: info.wattawella@wattawella-renewableenergy.com.au
Ph: 0420 475 046 – Bernadette Holland (Partnerships Manager)
0484 024 727 – Marton Kalocsay (Development Project Manager)
