Wind turbine construction in the Moorabool Shire is set to boom in 2018 with works at the Lal Lal Wind Farm anticipated to begin as early as February.
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The amended 60-turbine wind farm which was developed by WestWind received the green light from Planning Minister Richard Wynne in March before selling the development to Macquarie Capital in May.
At a Moorabool Shire Council special meeting on Wednesday night a dilapidation deed was approved which will see the company contribute to the cost of maintaining roads throughout the municipality during the construction phase.
The farm which will be able to generate 216 megawatts of power will be scattered across 2,100 hectares of land at Elaine and Yendon.
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Moorabool Shire mayor Paul Tatchell said it was appropriate the company made a contribution to the upkeep of infrastructure near the farm. He also said he was hopeful turbines would help to attract industry to the municipality.
“We agreed to put the deed in place because it’s just a way of protecting the ratepayer footing the bill,” Cr Tatchell said.
“We accept wind farms are a part of our future and it’s going to create a lot of jobs while construction is going on and you’d assume we will end up with a better rate base.”
The development comes as Pacific Hydro nears completion of its Yaloak South Wind Farm, with nine of 14 turbines already erected.
Construction of the mammoth 107-turbine Moorabool Wind Farm is also expected to begin in early 2018 before becoming fully operational in the early stages of 2019.
The flurry of new wind developments come as Federation University establishes its nation-first renewable energy training centre, which will teach tradespeople how to work on turbines.
The school will be taking on up to 30 students in March 2018 with a long term aim of establishing an $11 million home in the Ballarat West Employment Zone.
