Planning process

With a capacity of more than 30 MW, the Victorian Minister for Planning was the Responsible Authority for deciding on the planning applications. The project was assessed by the Minister for Planning under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (P&E Act) and the associated Wind Energy Guidelines.

In September 2008 the Minister for Planning determined that the project did not require an Environmental Effects Statement (EES), as the site offers scope to adjust infrastructure to avoid significant adverse environmental, heritage and amenity impacts.

The Victorian Minister for Planning then appointed a panel to assess the planning applications, including the submissions received and undertake public hearings.

A number of expert witnesses presented evidence at the panel hearings.

The planning panel hearings to consider the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm concluded on 26 May 2010. The Panel submitted its recommendations on the project to the Minister for Planning at the end of August 2010. The planning panel report is available on the Department of Planning and Community Development website.

On 29 October 2010, the Minister for Planning announced the approval for the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm and all of its associated planning permits, as well as the conditions that the project has to meet. The Minister's approval is for a 157-turbine wind energy facility.

Victorian Planning Permit Approvals Process for the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm.

Please note: while these documents were correct at the time of publishing, aspects of the project may have been modified as a result of conditions stipulated in the approvals granted, or as a result of other issues.

• Victorian Planning Permit Approvals Process flowchart
• Victorian Planning Permit Approvals Process flowchart (text version)

We have produced a
summary guide to provide an introduction and overview of the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm project. The guide is not intended to substitute for the application and the associated studies. Information on how you can have a say on the project is also included in this guide

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 (Commonwealth)

• Planning Application & EPBC Approval Process flowchart
• Planning Application & EPBC Approval Process flowchart (text version)
• EPBC Approval Letter (pdf)

In January 2009, the project was referred to the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) which assessed the project and determined that the proposed Stockyard Hill Wind Farm was a 'controlled action' according to the EPBC Act. This meant the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment believed that further information and consideration of the project was required.

The proposed wind farm was assessed, for the purposes of the EPBC Act, by way of an Advisory Committee which reported to the Minister. The Terms of Reference for the Advisory Committee were published nationally. As provided for in the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments, the planning panel served as the Advisory Committee on EPBC matters.

The project was granted EPBC Act approval subject to several conditions (listed in the approval letter, above), on 11 February 2011.

Planning Permit Conditions

A background noise monitoring plan has been developed as per the conditions set out in the planning permit for Stockyard Hill Wind Farm. This plan includes information on the background noise monitoring locations, the noise monitoring methodology and the data analysis methodology for the development of the background noise limit curves. The background noise monitoring plan was approved by the Department of Planning and Community Development on 14 March 2012.

• Approval from Department of Planning and Community Development
• Background Noise Monitoring Plan