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Planning & Approvals
Overview
New South Wales has a robust and thorough planning assessment process that requires extensive environmental assessment, design and community consultation to finalise an application that is acceptable for approval. This process has been designed for the protection of the local community and ecological environment.
The Hills of Gold Wind Farm is a state significant development and has been assessed under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act of 1979 and most recent updates from 2017.
Due to the number of submissions received during the public exhibition period, the project’s approval has been determined by the Independent Planning Commission (IPC). The IPC will be the consent authority, providing a determination on the project.
Following an extensive assessment process, in September 2024, the IPC determined to approve the Hills of Gold project with conditions.
Please visit the following website for all planning and assessment documents that have been submitted for the Hills of Gold Wind Farm project: Hills of Gold Wind Farm. | Planning Portal – Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (nsw.gov.au)
Project updates
To keep up to date on the project, you can sign up to our Community Newsletter, or visit the News and Updates section of the website.
Further information about the project and the IPC process and determination is available at Department of Planning and Environment | NSW Planning Portal – Hills of Gold Wind Farm.
Key Environmental and Social Assessment Areas
Wind farms are a safe and clean form of electricity generation and minimise disturbances to the community when planned correctly. If you have any particular concerns, please check our FAQ and Useful Links section of the website or contact us.
The following provides a short summary of the key areas that are assessed in the Environmental Impact Assessment.
How does a wind turbine work?
Learn more by reading our article - ‘How does a wind turbine work':
Landscape and Visual Amenity
As part of our development process, we have engaged experts to design realistic impressions of what the completed project will look like in order to assess and minimise the impact the project will have on the surrounding area. Where the impacts are considered significant, suitable mitigation measures will be implemented.
A condition of consent stipulates that up until 5 years from commencement of operation, neighbours within 5km of any wind turbine identified in the final layout plan may ask ENGIE to implement visual impact mitigation measures on their land to minimise their visual impact. ENGIE is committed to implementing appropriate mitigation measures in consultation with the owner/s
Construction and Decommissioning Noise
Like any major development project, large equipment will be required for use in the project. Construction equipment and wind turbines have the potential to generate noise not typically experienced in the region. We will be conducting detailed sound monitoring in order to understand the current levels of noise in the area and determine ways of limiting resultant noise, both from construction activities and operational turbines.
In line with the conditions of consent, ENGIE will take all reasonable steps to minimise construction and decommissioning noise of the development, including any associated traffic noise. ENGIE will also ensure that the noise generated by construction and decommissioning activities is managed in accordance with the requirements outlined in the Interim Construction Noise Guideline (DECC, 2009) (or its latest version).
Operational Noise
When operating, wind turbines and ancillary infrastructure generate some noise. ENGIE will ensure that the noise generated does not exceed the approved levels and that there is compliance with the noise requirements as outlined in the consent conditions.
Biodiversity Assessments
A wind farm has the potential to affect local ecology through behavioural change and habitat loss. Detailed studies are undertaken to determine what flora and fauna is in the area and how this may be affected. The project will include multiple contiguous wildlife corridors in an effort to minimise this impact.
In addition, the consent conditions outline several mitigation and management strategies ENGIE must comply with including:
- Guidance on the positioning of turbines and the blade tip of turbines
- Guidance on vegetation clearance
- Provision of biodiversity offsets
- Development of a Biodiversity Management Plan
- Development of a Bird and Bat Adaptive Management Plan
Cultural Heritage Assessment
Australia is a land of important cultural heritage sites. We will consult extensively with local Indigenous groups and local communities and perform detailed studies in order to identify local cultural heritage sites and minimise or eliminate any risk of impact by the project.
Hazard and Risk Assessment
The construction of any large project comes with some hazards, both to project employees and residents of the surrounding area. The project is required by the permitting process to develop and submit for approval our site safety plan. We will meet or exceed all local, state and federal guidelines regarding health and safety.
Aviation, TV and Radio
The construction and operation of large turbines has some potential for disruption of local communications infrastructure. Prior to the start of construction, we investigate any potential interference to local aviation, television and radio communication services. In the unlikely event that interference does occur, there are a number of technical fix solutions that can be applied to remedy the problem.
Water and Soil Management
The project is located in a region renowned for the quality of its agricultural land. We will develop and implement a Soil and Water Management Plan which will require the approval of the Planning Secretary prior to construction.
Community
Our responsibility to the community is to ensure there is transparency regarding the status and assessment of the project and that there are continuous opportunities for concerns to be raised. We will be actively engaging local community members to provide input and feedback based on information shared within community meetings or through our website.
If you have queries or concerns regarding the project, please contact us.
Our Approach to Engagement
ENGIE is making significant investments in renewable energy generation across the globe, including in Australia. As such, our engagement strategy is to have a transparent and open line of communication with the community, share knowledge and help create positive outcomes.
ENGIE actively engages with host landholders, stakeholders and communities to identify local considerations that help shape the project, programs and initiatives that genuinely benefit the local community.
Community Consultative Committee
Following our submission of the Preliminary Environmental Assessment in 2018, a Community Consultative Committee (CCC) was established. The CCC was made up of representatives from the local community, representatives on behalf of the wind farm and other project stakeholders. The CCC aided in providing information about the wind farm to the local community and taking feedback to be incorporated into the design of the project and assessment.
This CCC was disbanded in 2022, however as a condition of consent a CCC will be established for the further development of the project. The CCC will be operated in accordance with the Community Consultative Committee Guidelines issued by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
