Wind Prospect respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land that the project is located on, being the Eastern Maar and Gunditjmara peoples, and wishes to pay respect to Elders, both past and present. We acknowledge the ongoing connection between the Traditional Owners with the land and waters.
The proposed Willatook Wind Farm is located between Orford and Hawkesdale in south-west Victoria and consists of up to 59 wind turbine generators, a battery energy storage facility and supporting infrastructure. The project site consists of undulating plains covering more than 4,000 hectares used primarily for sheep and cattle grazing.
The project is situated within the South West Renewable Energy Zone established by the Victorian State Government. This renewable zone is centred on the existing Moorabool to Heywood 500 kilovolt transmission line, which passes through the project site.
It has been in development for several years and has undergone continual refinement to avoid and minimise the potential environmental and social impacts. These potential impacts were identified through engagement with project stakeholders and through studies by subject matter experts.
The project has been developed by Wind Prospect. Wind Prospect is an independently owned renewable energy project developer that has operated in Australia since 2000. During that time Wind Prospect has gained planning approval for twenty wind farms and two solar farms within Australia. Find out more about Wind Prospect here.
Joint Inquiry and Panel Hearing
A panel hearing was conducted between 11 October and 7 November. This provided an opportunity for those who made submissions on the EES or planning applications to be heard at the hearing. Following conclusion of the hearing, the Inquiry will submit its report to the Minister to inform the Minister’s assessment for the project.
Minister for Planning’s Assessment
The Minister for Planning will conclude the EES process by issuing a written assessment of the project’s environmental impacts under the EE Act. The minister’s assessment is not an approval in its own right, but will recommend whether the project’s environmental effects are acceptable, and may set out modifications or further management measures that the Minister thinks are appropriate.
Planning and approvals
Wind Prospect has prepared the Environment Effects Statement (EES) and planning permit applications for the Willatook Wind Farm, which can be viewed on the the planning page of this website from Monday 4 July, 2022. Learn more here.
Neighbour Benefit Sharing Program
The Neighbour Benefit Sharing Program will ensure the financial benefits of the project are shared directly with those closest to the project. Community feedback has been important in developing a framework that will benefit neighbours directly. Learn more here.
ENVIRONMENT EFFECTS STATEMENT
The Willatook EES consists of a summary, a main report of 27 chapters and 15 supporting studies and peer reviews. You can view the EES and planning permit applications during public exhibition (4 July – 12 August, 2022) .
PROJECT NEWS UPDATES
As the project progresses, Wind Prospect publishes updated resources including newsletters and the project information booklet on the news page. You can keep up-to-date on the project’s progress by registering for updates.
Check in regularly for updates.
WIND PROSPECT
Willatook Wind Farm Pty Ltd, owned by Wind Prospect Pty Ltd (Wind Prospect), is the project proponent. We are an independently owned renewable energy project developer that has operated in Australia since 2000.
During that time Wind Prospect has gained planning approval for 20 wind farms and two solar farms within Australia, totalling more than 3,000 megawatts of generating capacity.