The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has approved ENGIE’s Hills of Gold Wind Farm, located outside Nundle in northern New South Wales.
Hills of Gold Wind Farm Pty Ltd (owned by ENGIE), originally sought consent to develop a 390MW wind farm with 64 turbines. The IPC has approved the Hills of Gold Wind Farm to have 62 turbines, a 100MW battery energy storage system, 330kV transmission line and other associated ancillary infrastructure.
This state significant development is expected to create up to 211 construction jobs and 28 operational jobs. It is also expected to generate enough renewable energy to power up to 150,000 homes and make a material contribution towards meeting the New South Wales Government’s net zero targets and renewable energy objectives.
ENGIE Australia Managing Director of Renewables, Laura Caspari, says the decision reflects years of hard work, by not only the project team but all government, local and community stakeholders involved, to develop an excellent wind farm project.
“ENGIE is looking forward to delivering the project and its many benefits to the local Nundle, Hanging Rock and Crawney communities”, Ms Caspari said.
“The Hills of Gold Wind Farm will take advantage of an excellent wind resource and existing transmission infrastructure, and the project’s footprint has been optimised to incorporate expert advice, community input and years of onsite surveys and assessments that ensure co-existence with grazing and biodiversity on site.
“ENGIE is thrilled to be advancing development of this important renewable energy asset, which will contribute to New South Wales’s energy security, and the state and nation’s broader renewable energy targets.
“This project represents $833 million in new private investment into regional New South Wales, nearly 400 new jobs during construction and a community benefit fund designed to deliver long-term benefits to Nundle and surrounding communities.”
Ms Caspari said approval of the Hills of Gold Wind Farm was a positive sign for the renewable energy industry in New South Wales, as well as Australia’s response to managing the worst impacts of climate change.
“Hills of Gold is at the forefront of new wind farm developments to be approved in New South Wales. Achieving this milestone shows that industry, community and authorities can address and manage the issues identified during the planning process, providing valuable lessons for future projects.”
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) completed its whole-of-government assessment of the Hills of Gold Wind Farm in December 2023, which included a recommendation to remove 17 of the originally proposed 64 turbines from the project.
IPC said that it was referred the application for determination because Tamworth Regional Council and at least 50 people objected to the proposed development.
The three-member IPC Panel – comprising Clare Sykes (Chair), Duncan Marshall and Juliet Grant – met with key stakeholders, conducted a site inspection and locality tour, held a public meeting where they heard from 51 speakers, and received 431 unique written submissions from the community in an initial submission period.
In February 2024, IPC sought advice from the DPHI on Hills of Gold’s submissions requesting the reinstatement of 15 of the 17 turbines initially recommended for removal by DPHI. In late June 2024, IPC received additional material from Hills of Gold and DPHI, including advice from the Independent Expert Advisory Panel on Energy Transition, recommending reinstatement of those 15 turbines.
IPC said that this additional material was subject to a second submission period, during which a further 214 unique submissions were received.
Key issues raised in submissions and considered by the IPC included the scope of the application (primarily in relation to the number and location of turbines), visual, traffic and transport, biodiversity, socio-economic, noise and vibration impacts, as well as decommissioning and rehabilitation.
IPC said that it acknowledges the widespread and deeply held views in the community about the project, and the impact of the extended consultation and determination process.
The panel granted development consent to the Hills of Gold Wind Farm on 9 September 2024, subject to strict conditions.
In its statement of reasons, IPC found that:
- The application is consistent with the government’s strategic planning and energy framework as it will deliver up to 372MW of renewable energy, contributing to the transition to lower emissions energy generation
- The proposed site is suitable for renewable energy development given its proximity to existing electricity transmission networks, topography, wind resources, access to the regional road network and avoidance of major environmental constraints
- The project is in the public interest
Approval conditions
IPC imposed conditions of consent to mitigate a number of the issues raised by the community. These include requiring Hills of Gold to implement landscaping and vegetation screening for residences within 5km of any wind turbine – if requested by certain affected landowners
Hills of Gold is also required to undertake road upgrade works and manage transport and traffic impacts, including not allowing turbine blades to be transported to the site from Nundle via Barry Road (including Devils Elbow) and Morrisons Gap Road.
Hills of Gold must minimise and report on impacts on threatened flora and fauna species, develop a plan for bushfire emergency management prior to construction, and decommission and progressively rehabilitate the site at the end of the project’s life.
Hills of Gold must ensure sufficient accommodation for the workforce associated with the development, taking into consideration the cumulative impacts associated with other state significant developments in the area, and investigate options for prioritising the employment of local workers.
These and other conditions of consent are designed to:
- Ensure communication between Hills of Gold and the community occurs throughout all phases of the project
- Prevent, minimise and/or offset adverse environmental, social, and economic impacts
- Set standards and performance measures for acceptable environmental performance
- Require regular monitoring and reporting
- Provide for the on-going environmental management of the development.
Featured image: David Tao/shutterstock.com
