Victorian Wind Farm Projects Advance Amid Planning Reviews and Community Opposition

Two distinct wind farm projects in Victoria, Australia, are currently navigating planning processes and community feedback. The onshore Kentbruck Green Energy Hub is progressing through its environmental review stages, while the proposed offshore Blue Mackerel wind farm faces significant community opposition regarding its proximity to the coast.

Kentbruck Green Energy Hub: Planning and Environmental Review

The Kentbruck Green Energy Hub, an onshore wind turbine project proposed for south-west Victoria, has reached a key stage in its planning approval process. Developed by HMC Capital, the project aims to establish 105 wind turbines, some reaching up to 270 meters in height, within active pine plantations located between Nelson and Portland.

The proposed 600-megawatt facility is intended to supply power to the Port of Portland, the Portland Aluminium Smelter, and local homes. Its proximity to protected environmental areas, including Ramsar-listed wetlands and the Discovery Bay Coastal Park, has led to environmental considerations.

Victorian Acting Planning Minister Gabrielle Williams confirmed the approval of the project's environmental effects statement (EES).

This approval signifies a step forward in the planning process, though final approvals are still required before construction can commence.

Blue Mackerel Offshore Wind Farm: Community Opposition and Feasibility

Separately, a proposal for the Blue Mackerel offshore wind farm is encountering opposition from the coastal community of Seaspray, Victoria. The project, put forward by international joint venture JERA Nex BP, plans for the construction of 60 to 70 turbines situated 10 kilometers from shore along the Ninety Mile Beach, spanning a 163-square-kilometer ocean area between Seaspray and Woodside.

The developer states that the wind farm could generate 1 gigawatt of renewable energy annually by 2033, sufficient to power 750,000 homes. The federal government granted the project major project status in December.

Approximately 400 individuals attended a protest meeting in Seaspray to express their concerns. Marty Jackson, a spokesperson for the Seaspray Wind Farm Strategy Group, cited visual amenity as a primary issue, noting the area's views. Other concerns raised by residents include potential impacts on the town's social fabric, mental health, noise, light pollution, and the preservation of natural night sky views. Resident Gillian McIwain also voiced concerns regarding VicGrid's plans for two shoreline crossing areas intended to connect offshore wind farms to the electricity grid.

Mr. Jackson clarified that the group is not against renewable energy but objects to the proposed turbines' proximity to the shore.

The group has called for the Victorian government to reject the proposal, noting that other wind farm proponents have offered higher gigawatt returns at greater distances from the coast.

David Ghaly, project director for Blue Mackerel, acknowledged the community's concerns. He stated that the project is restricted to a Commonwealth government-awarded license area, which is within 10 kilometers of the shore, making turbine visibility from the coast unavoidable. Ghaly indicated the company is attempting to engage in discussions regarding a community benefits program for the project's projected 35-year lifespan.

However, Mr. Jackson stated that the community is not interested in benefits but is focused on the project's impact, and rejected the company's offer.

A spokesperson for federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen noted that the Blue Mackerel Offshore Wind Project is in its early feasibility stage, and no final decisions have been made regarding its progression or turbine placement.